The XII Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Bad Kissingen, Germany. It was inactivated on 10 November 1947.
Formed in United States in early 1942. Moved to North Africa, October–November 1942.
The command served in combat in the Mediterranean and European theaters until May 1945. Afterward, remained in Europe as part of the occupation force.
Constituted as XII Ground Air Support Command on 10 September 1942
Activated on 17 September 1942
Redesignated
XII Air Support Command in September 1942
Redesignated
XII Tactical Air Command in April 1944
Inactivated in Germany on 10 November 1947
Disbanded on 8 October 1948.
Third Air Force, 17 September 1942
First Air Force (Attached), 25 September 1942
Twelfth Air Force, 9 November 1942
Mediterranean Air Command/Northwest African Air Forces/Northwest African Tactical Air Force February 18 - December 10, 1943
Mediterranean Allied Air Forces/Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force/12th Air Force 1944-45
United States Air Forces in Europe, July 1945-10 November 1947
Forces and Wings
5th Bombardment Wing: 13 October 1942 – 1 November 1943
7th Fighter Wing: 1942 (Never activated)
42d Bombardment Wing: 21 May-26 July 1945
57th Bombardment Wing: 31 August 1943 – 1 January 1944
63d Fighter Wing: 14 June–December 1945
64th Fighter (formerly 3d Air Defense) Division: 9 March 1943 – 5 June 1947
70th Fighter Wing: 2 December 1945 – 25 September 1947
71st Fighter Wing: 25 September–November 1945
87th Fighter Wing: 11 January-22 September 1944
36th Fighter Group
Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany, August 1948 – 17 November 1952
60th Troop Carrier Group
Kaufbeuren Air Base, Germany, 1 July 1948
RAF Fassberg, Germany, 20 January 1949 – 1 October 1949
Wiesbaden Air Base, West Germany, 1 October 1949 – 2 June 1951
61st Troop Carrier Group
86th Fighter Group
Neubiberg Air Base, Germany (Later: West Germany), 1 July 1948 – 21 August 1952
XII TAC operated bomb ranges at Trendelsberg; Fresland Islands; Lechfeld and Nordholz
Operations
Col Demas T Craw was awarded the Medal of Honor for action during the invasion of Algeria-French Morocco: when the Allies landed on 8 November 1942, Col Craw volunteered to negotiate an armistice; while trying to pass through the lines near Port Lyautey, he was killed by machine-gun fire.
