US Army Middle East Air Force

US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) was activated on 28 June 1942 in Cairo, Egypt. It brought together several units which had been operating the area including the HALPRO Detachment, and Lewis Brereton's 9th Bomb Squadron.



USAAF units were later sent to join USAMEAF to support to ground troops and secure sea and air communications in the Mediterranean during the destruction of Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps.



USAMEAF was dissolved and replaced by the Ninth Air Force in November 1942.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (9th Air Force) US Army Middle East Air Force
  • Service Numbers: O-3132
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Commanding General

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Established

28 June 1942

Other

Dissolved

12 November 1942

Encompassing

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (9th Air Force) US Army Middle East Air Force
  • Service Numbers: O-3132
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Commanding General

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology