The Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army (TAF) was a joint aviation command of the Tenth United States Army that was responsible for commanding all land-based aviation and aviation command and control units during the Battle of Okinawa. The TAF's headquarters was provided by the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and it was the largest joint aviation unit under Marine Corps command during World War II. During the battle, the TAF was commanded by Major General Francis P. Mulcahy until ill-health forced him to be relieved by MajGen Louis E. Woods. According to United States sources, TAF aircraft were responsible for shooting down 637 Japanese aircraft during the battle.
Missions
To establish headquarters and tactical units ashore as soon as practicable after L-Day. To execute the air support mission assigned by the Commander, Joint Expeditionary Force, as long as he functioned as such in the area. Thereafter, to provide for air defense and air support for the ground and supporting surface forces in the Okinawa area by application of available air power as dictated by the overall situation and as directed by higher.
History
Organization and Planning
The Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army (TAF) was activated at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii on November 21, 1944 under the command of Major General Francis P. Mulcahy, then commander of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. 2nd MAW was chosen to lead the TAF because it had recent combat experience from Peleliu and more importantly it was available in Hawaii as planning for the invasion began to ramp up. When first formed, TAF's Marine Corps and United States Army Air Forces units were scattered across the Pacific Theater. Expecting a very large number of kamikaze attacks, MajGen Mulcahy selected his Chief of Staff, Brigadier General William J. Wallace, to serve as the head of TAF's most important task unit, the Air Defense Command. The ADC was initially responsible for overseeing the day and night fighters squadrons from three Marine Aircraft Groups and the four ground based early warning squadrons. BGen Wallace was a seasoned veteran who had previous combat experience as a Marine Air Group commander during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Marine Aircraft Group 43 (MAG-43), under the command of one of the most experienced radar officers in the Marine Corps Robert O. Bisson, was also brought from Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California to Hawaii to serve as the administrative headquarters for the TAF.
Planning for Okinawa continued while TAF struggled to get its staff together. The headquarters was not basically organized until December 1944 by which time the invasion plan was well along. By the time that the first echelon of TAF personnel embarked upon naval shipping at Pearl Harbor in late February 1945, TAF consisted of 112 officers and 398 enlisted personnel.
The plan that developed for the invasion of Okinawa was very straight forward with only a few modifications installed to improve air to ground coordination, incorporate more than one ground based radar squadron and integrate a large number of night fighter squadrons. TAF planners envisioned the units primary missions as follows: 1) Establish headquarters and tactical units ashore as soon as practicable after L-Day. 2) Execute the air support mission assigned by the Commander, Joint Expeditionary Force, as long as he functioned as such in the area. 3) Provide air defense and air support for the ground and supporting surface forces in the Okinawa area by application of available air power as dictated by the overall situation and as directed by higher authority.
Air Defense Command
TAF's Air Defense Command was tasked with the following missions: Commanding all fighter aircraft assigned to TAF in execution of all assigned defensive and offensive missions. Establishing Air Defense Command and an Air Defense Control Center as soon as possible. Assuming control of air defense including AA artillery and searchlights from Commander Air Support Control Units on order. Establishing and operating an early air warning net. Furnishing direct defense of the area in conjunction with Fleet aircraft present. Being prepared from time of initial establishment for emergency assistance to shipborne Air Support Control Units in handling carrier based aircraft forced to land ashore.