The United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) is a United States Air Force (USAF) major command (MAJCOM) and a component command of both United States European Command (USEUCOM) and United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM). As part of its mission, USAFE-AFAFRICA commands U.S. Air Force units pledged to NATO, maintaining combat-ready wings based from the United Kingdom to Turkey. USAFE-AFAFRICA plans, conducts, controls, coordinates and supports air and space operations in Europe, parts of Asia and all of Africa with the exception of Egypt to achieve U.S. national and NATO objectives based on taskings by the two combatant commanders. USAFE-AFAFRICA is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is the oldest continuously active USAF major command, originally activated on 1 February 1942 at Langley Field, Virginia, as the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Two years later, it was designated as United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) and on 7 August 1945 it was designated as United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). On 20 April 2012 it formally assumed its current designation when the 17th Air Force inactivated. The command has more than 35,000 active duty personnel, Air Reserve Component personnel, and civilian employees assigned. Origins The origins of USAFE can be traced to 19 January 1942, with the establishment of Eighth Air Force. Eighth Air Force was activated on 28 January at Savannah Army Air Base, Georgia. On 5 May, Major General Carl Spaatz assumed command of HQ Eighth Air Force. On 8 January, the order activating the "U.S. Air Forces in the British Isles" (USAFBI) was announced. On 12 May, the first contingent of USAAF personnel arrived in England to join the Eighth Air Force. On 15 June, Spaatz arrived in England to establish Headquarters, Eighth Air Force at Bushy Park, west-south-west of London. Eighth Air Force controlled: VIII Bomber Command (Established 19 January 1942) Strategic bombardment using heavy, four-engined bombers. VIII Fighter Command (Established 19 January 1942) Provide fighter escort of heavy bombers VIII Air Support Command (Established 24 April 1942) Provide reconnaissance, troop transport, and tactical bombardment using twin-engine medium bombers. VIII Air Service Command (Established 1942, name changed to VIII Air Force Service Command by 1943) Service and logistical support. On 22 February 1944, the Army Air Forces reorganized its commands in Europe. Eighth Air Force was redesignated as United States Strategic Air