The Twenty-First Air Force (21 AF) is an inactive numbered air force of the United States Air Force. It was last active as the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force (21 EMTF), stationed at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst until its inactivation in 2012. In this capacity, it was subordinate to Air Mobility Command's Eighteenth Air Force.
First created as a wing of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, the unit initially ferried aircraft, but its mission soon changed to airlifting personnel and cargo.
The organization was redesignated several times, eventually becoming the Twenty-First Air Force in 1966.
In 2003, the unit was redesignated as the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, assuming responsibility for worldwide airlift operations in support of United States Joint Forces Command, United States European Command, and United States Central Command.
In 2012, the organization was inactivated, with its subordinate units and responsibilities being transferred to the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center.
Mission
The 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force (EMTF) provided a rapid, tailored, worldwide, air mobility response to combatant commander's needs. Reporting through Eighteenth Air Force, the EMTF extended existing AMC infrastructure, through both en route employment and rapid forward deployment capabilities.
Its mission was to command and assess the combat readiness of assigned air mobility forces over the Atlantic half of the globe in support of Global Reach. These forces were at more than 55 locations in eight countries. 21 EMTF's major units included six active duty wings, two operational flying groups, and two mobility operations/support groups. Additionally, the 21 EMTF was liaison to 40 Air Reserve Component Wings.
21 EMTF's strategic airlift force included the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130 Hercules, aircraft, used to move cargo and passengers worldwide. The tanker force included KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers used for inflight refueling to provide increased global mobility.
In addition to the Task Force's airlift and refueling mission, the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland provided worldwide administrative airlift support to the President of the United States and other top government officials flying the C-20, C-21, C-32, VC-25 (Air Force One), VC-137, and UH-1 aircraft.
Units
6th Air Refueling Wing
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
19th Airlift Wing
Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
43d Airlift Wing
Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
89th Airlift Wing
Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
305th Air Mobility Wing
McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey
436th Airlift Wing
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
437th Airlift Wing
Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina
463d Airlift Group
Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
521st Air Mobility Operations Wing
Ramstein Air Base, Germany
621st Contingency Response Wing
McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey
History
The organization was first established in June 1942 as the 23rd Army Air Forces Ferry Wing, ferrying aircraft before changing missions to airlift personnel and cargo the next month.
Under Military Air Transport Service, Eastern Transport Air Force (EASTAF), headquartered at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, controlled all strategic airlift operations between the Mississippi River and the east coast of Africa and in Central and South America.
When MATS became Military Airlift Command, EASTAF was redesignated Twenty-First Air Force, with the same area of responsibility. In addition to Dover AFB, other major 21st AF bases were Charleston AFB, South Carolina and McGuire AFB, NJ. Depending upon command organization at different times, airlift and airlift support units in Europe, the Azores, Bermuda and throughout the southeastern United States also reported to EASTAF or 21st AF.
In Operation Just Cause, Twenty-first Air Force units conducted the largest night airdrop since World War II, leading to the successful seizure of Panama. From August 1990, Twenty-first Air Force controlled the largest airlift in history, moving forces for Operation Desert Shield and, later, Operation Desert Storm. Later in the decade Twenty-First Air Force was involved in operations in Bosnia and repeated deployments to the Middle East directed against Iraq.