HQ 17th Air Force, Sembach AB, GE

• Activation and Mission: HQ 17th Air Force (17 AF) was activated on 17 April 1953 at Rabat, Morocco, and later moved to Sembach Air Base, Germany, in August 1959. Its mission was to provide tactical air support and oversee USAF operations in Europe and Africa. • Nickname: The 17th Air Force was also known as the “Black Knights” due to its distinctive insignia featuring a black knight chess piece. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, 17 AF was responsible for the air defense of southern Germany and NATO’s southern flank, coordinating allied air operations and readiness. • Aircraft Variety: The unit oversaw a diverse array of aircraft, including F-100 Super Sabres, F-4 Phantoms, F-16 Fighting Falcons, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and C-130 Hercules, reflecting its multi-role capabilities. • Berlin Crisis: During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, 17 AF units were placed on high alert and played a vital part in bolstering NATO’s air presence in Europe. • Operation El Dorado Canyon: In 1986, 17 AF supported Operation El Dorado Canyon, the U.S. air strike against Libya, by coordinating logistics and providing staging support from European bases. • Humanitarian Missions: 17 AF participated in numerous humanitarian and disaster relief missions in Africa and Europe, including medical airlift and supply drops. • Inactivation and Reactivation: The headquarters at Sembach AB was inactivated on 30 September 1996, but the 17th Air Force was later reactivated in 2008 as the air component of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), based at Ramstein AB. • Decorations: The unit earned several awards for outstanding performance, including Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and recognition for excellence in air operations. • Legacy: Though the Sembach AB era ended, 17 AF’s legacy continues through its crucial roles in NATO, humanitarian missions, and modern U.S. Air Force operations in Africa.