Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations

The Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations was a United States Army Air Forces logistics formation that provided theater-level supply, maintenance, and depot support to American air units operating across North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Italy during World War II. It was constituted as the XII Air Force Service Command and activated on 22 August 1942, originally as part of Twelfth Air Force. On 1 January 1944 it was redesignated the Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations and assigned directly to Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Its headquarters and headquarters squadron were located at Naples, Italy, and it controlled the air depots and air sub-depots throughout the theater. The command supported major Allied air operations in the Mediterranean, including the North African campaign, the invasion of Sicily and Italy, and the final campaigns in Europe. Subordinate units included the 302nd Depot Repair Squadron, the 515th Air Service Group at Pomigliano d'Arco Airfield, and the 517th Air Service Group. The command was disbanded on 30 November 1945, following the end of the war.

The Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations originated as the XII Air Force Service Command, which was constituted and activated on 22 August 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida. It was assigned to Twelfth Air Force and initially attached to the VIII Air Force Service Command from September 1942 to about December 1942. The command moved overseas, establishing its headquarters at Kew Gardens, London, from September to November 1942, before deploying to North Africa. It was stationed at Oran, Algeria, in December 1942 and then at Algiers, Algeria, around December 1942. From about March 1943 it operated from Maison Blanche Airfield, Algeria. During this period it was also attached to the Northwest African Air Service Command from February to March 1943. As the XII Air Force Service Command, it controlled service area commands in North Africa, including the Casablanca, Constantine, and Oran Service Area Commands (Provisional), which were later redesignated as the 1st, 3d, and 2d Service Area Commands (Provisional). By about 14 March 1943, these were reorganized into the I, II, and III Service Area Commands. The command supported the Allied air campaigns in North Africa and the Mediterranean, including the invasion of Sicily and the Italian campaign. On 1 January 1944, the organization was redesignated the Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations and assigned directly to Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations. It was also attached to Mediterranean Allied Air Forces from 1 January 1944 to the end of the war in Europe. Its headquarters moved to Naples, Italy, in February 1944, where it remained until disbandment. The command controlled the air depots and air sub-depots in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, providing theater logistics through the end of the war. A detachment was located at Foggia, Italy. Subordinate units included the 302nd Depot Repair Squadron, the 515th Air Service Group at Pomigliano d'Arco Airfield from 28 December 1944 to 1945, and the 517th Air Service Group for a time in 1945. The command's depot network included the Adriatic Base Depot, Air Force General Depot No. 1 (later Oran Intransit Depot, Air Force Sub Depot No. 12), Air Force General Depot No. 2 (later Maison Blanche General Depot, Air Force General Depot No. 4), Air Force General Depot No. 3 (later Casablanca Sub Depot, Air Force Sub Depot No. 11, Air Force General Depot No. 11), Air Force General Depot No. 4 (later Air Force General Depot No. 2), Air Force General Depot No. 5 (later Air Force General Depot No. 1), and Air Force General Depot No. 6 (later Air Force General Depot No. 3, Air Force Sub Depot No. 31). The command also included the 51st Troop Carrier Wing from 15 to 31 August 1945. The Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations was disbanded on 30 November 1945.

• Constituted as XII Air Force Service Command and activated on 22 August 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida.

• Attached to VIII Air Force Service Command from September 1942 to about December 1942.

• Stationed at Kew Gardens, London, United Kingdom, from September to November 1942.

• Stationed at Oran, Algeria, in December 1942, then Algiers, Algeria, around December 1942.

• Attached to Northwest African Air Service Command from February to March 1943.

• Stationed at Maison Blanche Airfield, Algeria, from about March 1943.

• Service area commands reorganized into I, II, and III Service Area Commands around 14 March 1943.

• Redesignated Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations on 1 January 1944.

• Headquarters moved to Naples, Italy, in February 1944.

• 515th Air Service Group at Pomigliano d'Arco Airfield from 28 December 1944 to 1945.

• 51st Troop Carrier Wing attached from 15 to 31 August 1945.

• Disbanded on 30 November 1945.

The principal U.S. Army Air Forces logistics organization for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, responsible for sustaining air combat operations through a network of depots and service units.

• Theater-level air logistics and supply

• Air depot and sub-depot management

• Aircraft and equipment maintenance and repair

• 302nd Depot Repair Squadron

• 515th Air Service Group

• 517th Air Service Group

1. 1Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Air Service Command, Mediterranean Theater of Operations - Wikidatawikidata.org