13th Air Force Warriors Commemorate Jungle Day

  • Published
  • By By Lt. Col Toni Kemper
  • 13th AF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE--Hawaii --  Thirteenth Air Force Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers gathered at the base track at sunrise to kick off the first Jungle Day observation at Hickam. The tradition originated when the Jungle Air Force resided at Andersen AFB, Guam, as a day (normally Friday the 13th) set aside to bring the 13th AF family together. 

"The day renewed the 13th AF Jungle Day heritage," said Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander. "We're observing Jungle Day as it has been in the past: kicking off the day with a formation run, participating in sporting events throughout the day, and culminating with a luncheon and presentation of trophies and awards." 

"However, it's more than just event; it's a day for our people to reflect on and feel proud of what their unit has accomplished and continues to accomplish. Our Airmen are our greatest asset, ensuring mission success everyday--they are the future of 13th Air Force," added General Utterback. 

Originally activated as 13th AF at New Caledonia in the Coral Sea on Jan. 13, 1943, the command began operations as an organization composed of many widely separated and independent units scattered throughout the Pacific. From 1943 to 1945, the 13th Air Force staged from tropical jungles on more than 40 remote islands, earning the nickname "The Jungle Air Force." 

Thirteenth AF established its headquarters at Clark Field, Philippines, in January 1946. In May of that year, it moved to Fort William McKinley, Luzon. By August 1947, Headquarters, 13th AF returned to Clark Field. In December 1948, the unit moved to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, where it remained for only a few months before returning to Clark Field in May 1949. 

During the Korean War, 13th AF units provided staging areas for people and equipment destined for the war zone. During the decade of peace that followed the war, the command concentrated on training and surveillance activities to maintain a high state of readiness for contingencies. 

As the Vietnam War escalated during the late 1960s and early 1970s, 13th AF again served as a staging base and logistics manager for units fighting in Southeast Asia. As more American aircraft and people were poured into the war effort, combat units and facilities under 13th AF in Thailand increased. At its peak, 13th AF was composed of seven combat wings, nine major bases, 11 smaller installations and more than 31,000 military members. 

In June 1991, Mount Pinatubo buried Clark Air Base in volcanic ash, leading to the evacuation of military personnel and their families in Operation Fiery Vigil, eventually forcing the base to close Nov. 26. Thirteenth AF relocated and officially established its headquarters at Andersen AFB, Guam, on Dec. 2, 1991. 

The command moved to Hickam in 2005. The purpose of the transfer was to enable 13th AF to stand as a core building block for the new Air Force operational-level component headquarters organization in the Pacific. The 13th AF is at the forefront of the Air Force's transformation of air, space, and information power and was re-designated component Numbered Air Force headquarters in September 2006. Effective Oct. 6, 2006, the 15th Airlift Wing was permanently assigned to 13th AF. In January 2007, Det. 1, 13th AF stood up at Yokota AB, Japan. 

Today, "The Jungle Air Force" continues to write its history at Hickam, standing poised and ready to ensure peace and promote prosperity through cooperation with Pacific region partners.