provide the daily resources needed by the vast Alaska mission, however, and Alaskan Command activated again shortly after the spill on 7 July 1989, as a subordinate unified command under the United States Pacific Command in recognition of Alaska's strategic importance to the defense of the Pacific. With the reactivation of the Alaskan Command, the next logical step was to place its air component (AAC) under the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). By reorganizing from AAC to a Numbered Air Force, the Air Force was able to reduce its administrative manpower requirements during a period of massive reorganization and downsizing throughout the Air Force. On 9 August 1990, the Alaskan Air Command was redesignated as the Eleventh Air Force once again. Lineage Eleventh Air Force was redesignated Alaskan Air Command and assumed major command status, on 18 December 1945. Redesignated Eleventh Air Force on 9 August 1990 and, concurrently, status changed from a major command of the United States Air Force to a subordinate organization of Pacific Air Forces. Stations Davis Army Airfield, Adak, Alaska Territory, 18 December 1945 Elmendorf Field, (later Air Force Base), Alaska Territory (later Alaska), 1 October 1946 – 9 August 1990 Components Divisions 10th Air Division Provided for the air defense of Alaska south of the Alaska Range on 1 November 1950. Subordinate units flew numerous interception and training missions. Between June 1957 and March 1960, the division operated and maintained Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, plus several smaller installations. It was replaced by the 5070th Air Defense Wing (for air defense), and the 5040th Air Base Wing (for base operations) in August 1960. 11th Air Division Provided for the air defense of northern Alaska and supervised base operations at major and minor installations in that area. It furnished detachments at Ice Station Alpha, Drift Station Charlie (November 1957 – August 1960), and Drift Station Bravo (T-3) (July 1959 – August 1960), in the Arctic Ocean. Interceptor units Elemendorf Air Force Base 57th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 20 April 1948 – 1 January 1951 5039th Air Base Wing (Host unit), 13 April 1953 Re-designated: 5040th Air Base Wing, 1 June 1957 – 8 July 1966 21st Composite Wing, 8 July 1966 Re-designated 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 October 1979 – 9 August 1990 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1 October 1977 Transferred to Eielson AFB, 1 January 1992 – 9 August 1990 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 20 August 1957 – 8 October