5th AIR FORCE HISTORY

 5th Air Force Japanese Ink Image 5th Air Force, with headquarters at Yokota Air Base, Japan, is the U.S. Air Force's oldest continuously serving Numbered Air Force. The organization has provided more than 75 years of continuous air power to the Pacific since its establishment in September 1941.

5th Air Force's impressive warfighting history led to its nickname as the Fighting Fifth, but its enduring presence today is intended to deter aggression and maintain regional stability.

The 15,000 Airmen and Air Force civilians assigned to 5th Air Force and its three main bases partner with Joint services and counterparts from the Japan Self-Defense Forces to defend Japan, respond to regional contingencies, and enhance the half-century-old U.S.-Japan Security Alliance.

Together, 5th Air Force and its Japanese allies are maintaining a clear and visible presence and ensuring a stable and secure environment in the Asia-Pacific region.    

Fifth Air Force Mission, Vision, Priorities

The Indo-Pacific strategic environment involves Great Power Competition with adversaries who seek to undermine a free, open, connected, prosperous, and secure region. To meet these challenges, Fifth Air Force will strengthen U.S. alliances and partnerships to deter aggression. If deterrence fails, we will fight and win!

Our Mission

Fifth Air Force builds, integrates, and sustains combat-ready, resilient Airmen and airpower to advance U.S. national interests, deter aggression, defend Japan, respond to crisis, and if conflict occurs, prevail!

Our Vision

Fifth Air Force Airmen are resilient, lethal warfighters who build partnerships to advance interoperable air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to ensure the stability and security of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Fifth Air Force Priorities

Enhance Readiness: Posture to compete, deter, and win against the pacing threat.

Strengthen the Alliance: Advance the Alliance through bilateral and multilateral activities to ensure readiness, agility, and access for coordinated, rapid response.

Care for Airmen and Families: Nurture an environment of dignity, respect, and connectedness where Airmen and families can achieve their full potential.

5th AIR FORCE EMBLEM

5 AF Shield Blazon
Azure, the constellation of the Southern Cross consisting of five mullets Argent, between a comet, the head a hurt charged with a mullet charged with a torteau encompassed with a flaming trail arced to sinister three streamers of the third, the Arabic number " 5" Or; all within an annulet of the like, all within a diminished bordure of the last. Attached below the disc a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed "FIFTH AIR FORCE" in Blue letters.

Significance
Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations.  Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel.  The small stars suggest the constellation, Southern Cross, and also reflect the unit's heritage of World War II campaigns in the South Pacific islands.  The Air Force star insignia on a comet with three tails represents the aircraft markings of the unit and denotes three primary missions: bomb, fighter, and airlift.  The numeral "5" reflects the unit's numerical designation.

5AF Fact Sheet

5th Air Force Wings