WW2 Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific) (13 AF). PATCH.  Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific). 14 December 1942 – 8 February 1952 (as Thirteenth Air Force) Provide combat-ready air forces for U.S. Pacific Command Part of Pacific Air Forces U.S. Pacific Command Nickname(s) Jungle Air Force Engagements   World War II – Asiatic-Pacific Theater Bismarck Archipelago Leyte New Guinea Southern Philippines[3] Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[4] Commanders Notable commanders Nathan F. Twining Hubert R. Harmon Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. The Thirteenth Air Force (Air Forces Pacific) (13 AF) was a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It was last headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States. It was one of the oldest continuously active numbered air forces in the United States Air Force. The command plans, commands and controls, delivers, and assesses air, space, and information operations in the Asia-Pacific region—excluding the Korea theater of operations—across the security spectrum from peacetime engagement to major combat operations. Established on 14 December 1942 at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield, on New Caledonia, 13 AF was a United States Army Air Forces combat air force deployed to the Pacific Theater of World War II. It engaged in operations primarily in the South Pacific, attacking enemy forces in the Solomon Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns; Mariana and Palau Islands campaigns and the Philippines campaign (1944–45).