Air Force Historical Research Agency Welcome to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Legacy Vault

DAF Legacy Vault

We are excited to announce the development of a new digital space dedicated to showcasing the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) official archival records. This project highlights the rich and storied history of both the Air Force and Space Force, featuring historical records, artifacts, photographs, audio recordings, video documentation, and archival finding aids.

Although the page is currently under construction, our team is actively working to ensure it becomes a comprehensive and accessible resource for historians, researchers, veterans, and enthusiasts. We aim to make these valuable materials readily discoverable for those seeking insights into the DAF's contributions to our nation's history.

This initiative underscores our commitment to preserving and sharing the official ephemera of the Airmen and Guardians who have shaped the legacy of the skies and beyond. Updates will follow as the project progresses, and we look forward to unveiling more resources soon!

DAF History Publications

A Pattern for Joint Operations: World War II Close Air Support - North Africa
This document offers a comprehensive historical analysis of the evolution and practice of American close air support during World War II in North Africa, focusing on the challenges of achieving effective joint air-ground operations. It details how American air support elements, including the XII Air Support Command under leaders such as Colonel Paul L. Williams and tactical air groups like No. 242 Group, were integrated with British forces led by Air Vice Marshal Arthur Coningham and coordinated by senior commanders like Maj. Gen. James H. Doolittle and General Eisenhower. The study highlights operational difficulties encountered during key campaigns such as the TORCH landings at Casablanca and the fierce engagements around Kasserine Pass in Tunisia, where issues of centralized command, resource allocation, and communication delays became apparent. It also illustrates how these experiences led to doctrinal revisions by figures like General Spaatz and contributed to the formation of unified Allied air support structures based in strategic locations such as Algiers.

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Photo by: Daniel R. Mortensen |  VIRIN: JOINT_OPERATIONS_WWII_CAS_NORTH_AFRICA.PDF