I Fighter Command

I Fighter Command was a United States Army Air Forces intermediate command responsible for command and control of the fighter operations within the First Air Force during World War II.

I Fighter Command
Emblem of the I Fighter Command
Active	5 June 1941–21 March 1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Type	Command and Control
Engagements	World War II

The command was responsible for air defense of the northeastern United States until mid-1944, as well as training fighter units and personnel.

History

Constituted on 26 May 1941 as I Interceptor Command, it was activated on 5 June 1941 at Mitchel Army Airfield controlling fighter operations within the First Air Force, under the command of Brigadier General John C. McDonnell. The command was based at Mitchel for the duration of its existence except for a brief stint in New York City from 27 December 1941 to 9 June 1942. Brigadier General John K. Cannon took command in March 1942. From August of that year to mid-1944 it included the Boston, New York, Norfolk, and Philadelphia Fighter Wings. Cannon was replaced by Colonel Elwood R. Quesada about 29 September; Brigadier General Willis R. Taylor took command about 25 November. Between April 1943 and around 14 April 1944 it was led by Brigadier General Glenn O. Barcus, who was replaced around 26 May by Brigadier General John R. Hawkins, its last commander. The command provided air defense for the northeast coast of the United States until August 1944, when the prospect of air attack became remote, and also trained fighter units and personnel. After the end of the war it was inactivated on 21 March 1946 and disbanded on 8 October 1948.[1]

Lineage

• Constituted as: I Interceptor Command on 26 May 1941

Activated on 5 June 1941.

Redesignated I Fighter Command in May 1942.

Inactivated on 21 March 1946

Disbanded on 8 October 1948.[1]

Assignments

• First Air Force, 26 May 1941 – 21 March 1946[1]

Stations

• Mitchel Field, New York, 5 June 1941
• New York City, New York, 27 December 1941
• Mitchel Field, New York, 9 June 1942 – 21 March 1946.[1]

Wings

• Boston Fighter Wing, 11 August 1942 – July 1944[2]
• New York Fighter Wing, 6 August 1942 – 3 April 1946
• Norfolk Fighter Wing, 8 August 1942 – 3 April 1946
• Philadelphia Fighter Wing, 6 August 1942 – 3 April 1946[1]

References

Citations

1. Maurer 1983, pp. 437–438.
2. Maurer 1983, p. 425.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.