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{{about|the 3d Air Support Command disbanded in March 1942|the III3rd Air Support Command establishedorganized in May 1942|III Tactical Air Command}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=3rd Air Support Command
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|dates=1941-1942
|country={{USA}}
|branch={{army|USA}}<br/>{{air force|USA}}<ref group=note>In September 1947, when the United States Air Force became an independent service, all former Air Corps units were put under its control, including disbanded units.</ref>
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|type=
|role=Command and training of reconnaissance and light bomber forces
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|march=
|mascot=
|battles=[[antisubmarine warfare|Antisubmarine campaign, American Theater]]
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
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}}
 
The '''3rd Air Support Command''' was a [[United States Army Air Forces]] formation. It wascommand, assigned to the [[Third3rd Air Force]] throughout its existence.<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/><ref>{{cite webIt |url=was https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433565/third-air-force-usafe/organized |last1=Haulman|first1=Danielat [[Hunter L.Army Airfield|title=Factsheet ThirdArmy Air ForceBase, (USAFE)|date=April 4Savannah]], 2019|publisher=AirGeorgia. Force HistoricalBy Research Agency|access-date=Decemberearly 91942, 2021}}</ref>most Itof wasits stationedtrained atpersonnel Savannahhad Armybeen Airlost Base,to GAoverseas theaters., and thenIt moved to [[Drew Field]], [[Florida]]., Itwhere it was inactivateddisbanded on 16 March 1942.
 
==History==
Trained air force organizations for support operations and assisted in training ground forces. Also conducted antisubmarine patrols.
[[General Headquarters Air Force]] (GHQ AF) reorganized its four regional air districts as [[Numbered Air Force]]s in the spring of 1941. By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.<ref>Cate & Williams, pp. 152, 155</ref>
 
[[File:North American O-47B 1941.jpg|thumb|North American O-47B during the 1941 war games]]
Upon the disbandment of the 3rd Air Support Command, the [[85th Bombardment Group]] (Dive) was transferred to [[III Bomber Command]].
In the summer of 1941 GHQ AF had decided to establish commands to direct its [[air support]] mission in each numbered air force, plus one additional command reporting directly to GHQ AF. These commands would be manned from inactivating [[wing (military aviation unit)|wings]], and would initially control only observation squadrons, which would be transferred from the control of the corps and divisions, although they would remain attached to these ground units.<ref name=Futrell13>Futrell, p. 13</ref> [[3rd Air Force]] organized '''3rd Air Support Command''' at [[Hunter Army Airfield|Army Air Base, Savannah]], Georgia in September 1941, where it drew its [[cadre (military)|cadre]] and equipment from the [[17th Air Division|17th Bombardment Wing]], which was simultaneously inactivated.<ref name=MaurerIIIASC>Maurer, p. 439</ref><ref name=Futrell13/> New observation groups were formed and assigned, with cadres drawn from [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] squadrons that had been mobilized in 1940 and 1941.<ref name=Futrell13/>
 
The command trained air force organizations for support operations and assisted in training ground forces.<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/> During the [[Carolina Maneuvers]] of 1941, the command was attached to [[IV Corps (United States)|IV Corps]]. Unlike the opposing force, the command's headquarters were located about sixty miles distant from that of the ground forces it supported, giving it greater freedom of action. As a result, its forces were used more aggressively and more frequently in an offensive role, than those of the opposing force.<ref>Futrell, p. 19</ref> After the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] it also conducted [[anti-submarine warfare|antisubmarine patrols]].<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/>
 
However, by early 1942, the command's first commander, Asa N. Duncan, like two of the other commanders of air support commands had moved overseas, and similar demands led GHQ AF to believe it had little more than the "remnants" of the command remaining.<ref name=Futrell13/> As a result, it was decided to disband the command. Its [[headquarters]] were moved to [[Drew Field]], Florida on 1 March and it was disbanded there on 16 March 1942.<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/>
 
== Lineage ==
* Constituted as the '''3rd Air Support Command''' on 21 August 1941<ref group=note>Maurer indicates unit was constituted as the "III" Air Support Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an [[arabic number]] in its name. The use of [[roman numeral]]s to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. {{cite web |url= httphttps://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433913/types-of-usaf-organizations/ |title=Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations|date=9 January 2008|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>
: Activated on 1 September 1941
: Disbanded on 16 March 1942<ref name=MaurerIIIASC>Maurer, p. 439</ref>
 
===Assignments===
* [[27th3rd BombardmentAir Group]]Force, 1 September 1941c.16 20March November1942<ref 1941.name=MaurerIIIASC/><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1913364433565/27third-specialair-operationsforce-group-afsocusafe/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 27Third SpecialAir Operations GroupForce (AFSOCUSAFE)|date=July4 23,April 2019|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=9 December 29, 2021}}</ref>
 
===Components===
* [[3rd Bombardment Group]], 1 September – 8 December 1941; 2 January – February 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434142/3-operations-group-pacaf/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 3 Operations Group (PACAF)|date=June 26, June 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 27, December 2021}}</ref>
* [[67th27th ObservationBombardment Group]], 1 September 1941[16]c. March20 1942November 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/4323831913364/6727-cyberspacespecial-operations-group-afspcafsoc/ |last1=ReamHaulman|first1=MargaretDaniel L.|title=Factsheet 6727 CyberspaceSpecial Operations Group (AFSPCAFSOC)|date=March23 21,July 20212019|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=29 December 29, 2021}}</ref>
* [[68th67th Observation Group]], 1 September 1941 – [16] March 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url= httpshttp://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433415432383/5367-electroniccyberspace-warfareoperations-group-acc/ |last1=StephensReam|first1=Maj ToniaMargaret|title=Factsheet 5367 ElectronicCyberspace WarfareOperations Group (ACCAFSPC)|date=June21 19,March 20172021|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=29 December 29, 2021}}</ref>
* [[312th68th BombardmentObservation Group]], 15-1 September 1941 – [16] March 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434012433415/31253-aeronauticalelectronic-systemswarfare-group-afmcacc/ |last1=BaileyStephens|first1=CarlMaj E.Tonia|title=Factsheet 31253 AeronauticalElectronic SystemsWarfare Group (AFMCACC)|date=December19 27,June 20072017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January29 10,December 20222021}}</ref>
* [[85th Bombardment Group]], 10 February - 16 March 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhradafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433508/85-group/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 85 Group|date=September 29, September 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 10, January 2022}}</ref>
* [[312th Bombardment Group]], 15-16 March 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434012/312-aeronautical-systems-group-afmc/ |last1=Bailey|first1=Carl E.|title=Factsheet 312 Aeronautical Systems Group (AFMC|date=27 December 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
 
==Components=Stations===
* [[Hunter Army Airfield|Army Air Base, Savannah]], Georgia, 1 September 1941
* [[3rd Bombardment Group]], 1 September – 8 December 1941; 2 January – February 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434142/3-operations-group-pacaf/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 3 Operations Group (PACAF)|date=June 26, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 27, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Drew Field]], Florida, 1–16 March 1942<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/>
* [[27th Bombardment Group]], 1 September – c. 20 November 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1913364/27-special-operations-group-afsoc/ |last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 27 Special Operations Group (AFSOC)|date=July 23, 2019|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
* [[67th Observation Group]], 1 September 1941 – [16] March 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432383/67-cyberspace-operations-group-afspc/ |last1=Ream|first1=Margaret|title=Factsheet 67 Cyberspace Operations Group (AFSPC)|date=March 21, 2021|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
* [[68th Observation Group]], 1 September 1941 – [16] March 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433415/53-electronic-warfare-group-acc/ |last1=Stephens|first1=Maj Tonia|title=Factsheet 53 Electronic Warfare Group (ACC)|date=June 19, 2017|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
* [[85th Bombardment Group]], 10 February - 16 March 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433508/85-group/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 85 Group|date=September 29, 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 10, 2022}}</ref>
* [[312th Bombardment Group]], 15-16 March 1942<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/434012/312-aeronautical-systems-group-afmc/ |last1=Bailey|first1=Carl E.|title=Factsheet 312 Aeronautical Systems Group (AFMC|date=December 27, 2007|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=January 10, 2022}}</ref>
 
== Stations =Campaigns===
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Hunter Army Airfield|Army Air Base, Savannah]], Georgia, 1 September 1941
|- style="background:#efefef;"
* [[Drew Field]], Florida, 1–16 March 1942<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/>
! Campaign Streamer
! Campaign
! Dates
! Notes
|-
|[[File:American Campaign Streamer.png|200px]]||Antisubmarine||7 December 1941 – 16 March 1942||<ref name=MaurerIIIASC/>
|}
 
== References ==
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===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{cite book|last1=Cate|first1=James L. |last2=Williams|first2=E. Kathleen |editor=Craven, Wesley F |editor2=Cate, James L|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064307/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 18 February 2017 |access-date=17 December 2016| title=The Army Air Forces in World War II|volume=I, Plans and Early Operations|year=1948|publisher=University of Chicago Press|___location=Chicago, IL|oclc=704158|lccn=48003657|chapter=Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|___location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* {{cite web |url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/1-50/AFD-090602-049.pdf |last1=Futrell|first1=Robert F.|title=Command of Observation Aviation: A Study in Control of Tactical Airpower, USAF Historical Study No. 24|date=September 1956|publisher=Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University |access-date=23 January 2022}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210115181723/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 January 2021 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|___location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
 
{{USAAF 3d Air Force World War II}}