Records of United States Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations
(Record Group 342)
1900-85, 1991
Table of Contents
- 342.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
- 342.2 AIR FORCE UNIT HISTORIES AND SUPPORTING RECORDS
1920-73
1,837 rolls of microfilm
- 342.3 RECORDS OF THE ENGINEERING DIVISION AND ITS PREDECESSORS
1916-51
- 342.4 RECORDS OF THE AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND AND ITS
PREDECESSORS
1961-65
- 342.5 RECORDS OF THE AIR UNIVERSITY (AIR TRAINING COMMMAND,
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, AL)
1968-81
- 342.6 RECORDS OF AIR FORCE BASES
1945-68
- 342.6.1 Records of Griffis Air Force Base, Rome, NY
- 342.6.2 Records of Homestead Air Force Base, FL
- 342.6.3 Records of Sundance Air Force Base, WY
- 342.7 RECORDS OF THE ARCTIC, DESERT, AND TROPIC INFORMATION
CENTER
1934, 1943-44, 1953, 1955
- 342.8 RECORDS OF THE AERONAUTICAL CHART AND INFORMATION CENTER
(ACIC)
1947-71
- 342.9 RECORDS OF AIR FORCE OPERATIONAL UNITS
1950-65
- 342.10 RECORDS OF THE ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
1902-62
- 342.11 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL)
- 342.12 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
1900-72
- 342.13 TEXTUAL RECORDS (GENERAL)
1955-1980
- 342.14 VIDEO RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1991
- 342.15 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1954-85, 1991
- 342.16 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
1945-81
Security-Classified Records: This record group may include material that is security-classified.
Related Records: Record copies of publications of the U.S. Air Force in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government. Records of the Army Air Forces, RG 18.
Records of Headquarters U.S. Air Force (Air Staff), RG 341.
Records of Joint Commands, RG 349.
342.2 AIR FORCE UNIT HISTORIES AND SUPPORTING RECORDS
1920-73
1,837 rolls of microfilm
Textual Records: Security-classified and unclassified microfilm
copies of records held in the U.S. Air Force Historical Research
Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, consisting of air force unit
histories with accompanying issuances, correspondence, tables,
charts, and reports, 1920-73.
Related Records: Microfilm copies of these records are also
available at the Office of Air Force History, Bolling Air Force
Base, Washington, DC.
342.3 RECORDS OF THE ENGINEERING DIVISION AND ITS PREDECESSORS
1916-51
History: Airplane Engineering Department, Aviation Section,
Office of the Chief Signal Officer, U.S. Army, established
October 13, 1917. Redesignated Airplane Engineering Division and
transferred to Bureau of Aircraft Production, August 31, 1918.
Redesignated Technical Division, January 1, 1919. Redesignated
Engineering Division, Air Service, May 13, 1919. Redesignated
Materiel Division, Air Corps, October 15, 1926. Redesignated
Materiel Center (MC), Army Air Forces (AAF), March 6, 1942.
Redesignated Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), by General Order
16, MC, April 6, 1942. New organization, designated Engineering
Division, established under AFMC by Notice 103, AFMC, June 7,
1942. AFMC redesignated successively Materiel Command, April 15,
1943; AAF Materiel Command, June 15, 1944; AAF Materiel and
Services Command, summer 1944; AAF Technical Service Command,
September 1, 1944; Air Technical Service Command, July 1, 1945;
and Air Materiel Command (AMC), March 13, 1946. Engineering
Division transferred from AMC to Air Research and Development
Command (ARDC) by Notice 77, AMC, April 3, 1951. ARDC
redesignated Air Force Systems Command (AFSC); and Engineering
Division redesignated Aeronautical Systems Division of AFSC,
effective April 1, 1961, by Letter AFOMO 590M, Department of the
Air Force (DAF), March 20, 1961.
Note: For administrative histories of the air force organization
at the highest echelon, SEE 18.1, 18.2, 18.5, 18.7, 341.1, and
341.2.
Textual Records: Central decimal correspondence, 1916-49 (1,774
ft.). Research and development project contract files, 1921-51
(3,438 ft.). Microfilm copy of research and development technical
reports, 1928-51 (400 rolls).
Related Records: Records of the Bureau of Aeronautics, RG 72.
342.4 RECORDS OF THE AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND AND ITS
PREDECESSORS
1961-65
History: Research and Development Command, USAF, consisting of
research and development units formerly under Air Materiel
Command, established January 23, 1950. Became operational
February 1, 1950. Redesignated Air Research and Development
Command, September 16, 1950. Redesignated Air Force Systems
Command, effective April 1, 1961, by AFOMO 590M, DAF, March 20,
1961.
Textual Records (in Los Angeles): Orders and directives of the
6594th Aerospace Test Wing, Ballistic Missile Division, 1961-65.
Motion Pictures (40 reels): Staff Film Reports series, produced
by the Air Research and Development Command to document technical
advances in the development of aircraft, missiles, and weapons
systems, 1954-57. SEE ALSO 342.12.
342.5
RECORDS OF THE AIR UNIVERSITY (AIR TRAINING COMMMAND, MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, AL)
1968-81
Textual Records: Records of the Junior Operations Branch, Junior
Program Division, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Officer Training
Corps, consisting of Junior Air Force Reserve Officer Training
Corps unit files, 1968-81.
342.6 RECORDS OF AIR FORCE BASES
1945-68
Note: This subgroup includes approximately 2 lin. ft. of records
in process of reallocation from Record Group 338, Records of U.S.
Army Commands, 1942-. Summary descriptions of these records are
enclosed in braces {}.
342.6.1 Records of Griffis Air Force Base, Rome, NY
Textual Records: {Records of Griffis Air Force Base, 1945-50.}
342.6.2 Records of Homestead Air Force Base, FL
History: Activated April 1941. Designated Homestead Airfield
September 16, 1942. Became operational November 1942. Inactivated
December 14, 1945. Reactivated January 5, 1953. Redesignated
Homestead Air Force Base, March 3, 1953.
Textual Records (in Atlanta): Real property case files of the
31st Civil Engineering Squadron, 31st Combat Support Group, 1953-
66. News releases of the Homestead AFB Public Information Office
(Directorate of Information, Headquarters, 19th Bomb Wing
[Heavy], Strategic Air Command), 823d Support Group, 1965.
342.6.3 Records of Sundance Air Force Base, WY
Textual Records (in Denver): Miscellaneous program
correspondence, 1963-68.
342.7 RECORDS OF THE ARCTIC, DESERT, AND TROPIC INFORMATION
CENTER
1934, 1943-44, 1953, 1955
History: Established under the Proving Ground Command, AAF, at
Eglin Field, FL, by directive from Maj. Gen. Muir S. Fairchild,
Director, Military Requirements, HQAAF, to Brig. Gen. Grandison
Gardner, Commanding General, Proving Ground Command, AAF,
September 20, 1942. Transferred to Office of Assistant Chief of
Air Staff, Intelligence, HQAAF, and relocated to New York City,
October 1943. Transferred to Tactical Center, AAF, Orlando Field,
FL, and redesignated Arctic, Desert, and Tropic Branch, April
1944. Deactivated, October 1945. Reactivated by directive from
Commanding General, USAF, to Commanding General, Air University,
USAF, February 26, 1947.
Textual Records: Copy of a report by Charles A. Lindbergh on the
Greenland-Iceland transatlantic route, 1934. Activity report of
the Ice Cap Detachment, Greenland Base Command, 1943-44.
Instructor's manual for the Arctic, prepared by Dr. Vilhjahmur
Stefansson, 1943. National Geographic Society survey of
literature on the Greenland ice cap, 1953. Report on the use of
ice for aircraft landing strips, 1955.
342.8 RECORDS OF THE AERONAUTICAL CHART AND INFORMATION CENTER
(ACIC)
1947-71
History: For an administrative history of ACIC and its
predecessors, SEE 456.2, "Air Force Predecessors," in RG 456,
Records of the Defense Mapping Agency.
Maps and Charts: Sets of published world
aeronautical, pilotage, approach, and strategic planning charts,
with index charts, 1947-71 (4,111 items). Charts of the surface
of the moon, and a lunar photomap atlas, 1960-62 (347 items).
342.9 RECORDS OF AIR FORCE OPERATIONAL UNITS
1950-65
Note: This subgroup includes approximately 6 lin. ft. of records
in process of reallocation from Record Group 338, Records of U.S.
Army Commands, 1942- . Summary descriptions of these records are
enclosed in braces {}.
Textual Records: {Records of the 13th Air Force, 1953. Records of
the Continental Air Defense Command, 1954-55, 1958. Records of
the 3904th Composite Wing, 1952.} Special orders, 465th
Bombardment Wing, Warner Robins Air Force Base, GA, 1965 (in
Atlanta). {History reports of the 324th Troop Carrier Wing, 1950-
52. Records of the 372d Engineer Aviation Battalion, 1952.}
Special orders, 693d Radar Squadron, Dauphin Island Air Force
Station, AL, 1965 (in Atlanta).
342.10 RECORDS OF THE ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
1902-62
Textual Records (in Anchorage): History of Alaska Communications
System during World War II, September 1945. Cable ship
operational histories, 1902-32. Publicity scrapbooks, 1942-56.
Weekly reports of tests, 1960-62.
Related Records: Additional records of the Alaska Communications
System in RG 111, Records of the Office of the Chief Signal
Officer.
342.11 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL)
SEE Maps and Charts UNDER 342.8.
342.12 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
1900-72
Air Force Digest series, 1953-55 (65 reels). Air Force News
Review series, 1939-59 (349 reels). Armed Forces Information
Films series, 1950-63 (46 reels). Tarzon Bomb, documenting bomb
development, 1963 (2 reels). General Holtoner and Bill Holden - Sound Barrier,
documenting the actor's visit to an Air Force base and his ride in a jet
fighter, 1956 (1 reel). Film Reports series, 1958-66 (153
reels). Film Training Aids series, 1953-63 (103 reels).
Department of Defense News Releases series, 1952-54 (410 reels).
Report to the Armed Forces series, documenting the preparations
for a nuclear detonation on Eniwetok Island and the construction
of the air base at Thule, Greenland, 1953 (6 reels). Special Film
Projects series, 1943-64 (1,785 reels). Technical Film Reports
series, documenting the development of the Snark long-range
missile system, 1950-55 (9 reels). Training Films series, 1942-63
(208 reels). Project Crossroads atomic bomb tests, Bikini Atoll,
1946 (77 reels). Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan,
1945 (133 reels). Gun Sight Aiming Point series, consisting of
Korean War gun camera footage, 1951-53 (36 reels). U.S. Air Force
activities in Greenland, Labrador, Washington State, and Alaska
in support of the International Geophysical Year, 1953-59 (75
reels). USAF series, consisting of edited and unedited footage
documenting early aviation; aerial warfare during World Wars I
and II; experimental aircraft and missile testing; air force
command activities during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis; and air
operations in Southeast Asia, with accompanying index and
documentation, 1900-72 (4,968 reels).
Finding Aids: Master catalogue cards and production files for
the Air Force Digest series, Air Force News Review series, Film
Training Aids series, New Releases series, Special Film Projects
series, Technical Film Reports series, Training Films series, and USAF
series. Master catalog cards only for Film Reports series. Production files
only for Staff Film Reports series.
SEE UNDER 342.4.
342.13 TEXTUAL RECORDS (GENERAL)
1955-1980
Security-classified correspondence of the Assistant
Chief of Staff for Intelligence concerning tactical
intelligence in Vietnam, 1955-1980. Security-classified records
of the Strategic Air Command, consisting of Vietnam-related combat
operations reports from the 8th Air Force, 1972-73; bombing
mission messages, 1966; and correspondence and other records
concerning target identifications and air operation, 1965-68.
Military Airlift Command security-classifed logbooks, 1965-68.
Security-classified records of the Pacific Air Forces, consisting
of Southeast Asia "Project Checo" air operations reports, 1967;
reports on the history of the 7th Air Force's U.S. Support Activities
Group, 1973-75; comments on proposed changes to Pacific Air Forces
regulations and procedures manuals, 1966-74; operational analysis
reports, 1965-68; and a report on force reduction planning, 1968.
Records of the 8th Air Force, consisting of correspondence relating
to the readiness and reliability of Strategic Air Command forces and
equipment, 1964-68; and a record set of superseded or rescinded Air
Force publications, 1963-67. Security-classified records of the Seventh
Air Force, consisting of combat operations reports from the 355th
Tactical Fighter Wing; and reports on 12th Tactical Fighter Wing missions,
1966-69. Security-classified Southeast Asia equipment operational
requirements modification case files for the Seventh Air Force.
Security-classified reports on the history of the 4th Tactical Fighter
Squadron, 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing, 1970-75. Security-classified
mixed files relating to various USAF combat operations and other
activities during the Vietnam War, 1961-77. Security-classified
records of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, under the
Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), consisting
of daily and weekly statistical reports and summaries on air combat
operations, 1968-74; aircraft loss or accident reports, 1968-73;
and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) emergency actions file, 1966-74.
342.14 VIDEO RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1991
Armament deliveries, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm,
Kuwait, 1991, unclassified (110 items) and security-classified
(295 items).
342.15 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1954-85, 1991
Air Force public information programs, including "Great Moments
To Music," "Our Date With History," and "Serenade in Blue"
series, 1954-76 (21 items). "Country Music Time," 1961-85 (818
items). Iraqi prisoner of war interviews, Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm, Kuwait, 1991 (18 items).
342.16 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
1945-81
Photographs: Air force personnel and activities in Germany and
Japan following World War II, including 1948-49 Berlin Airlift,
1945-62 (G, J; 7,681 images). Scenes of post-World War II Europe,
including war-damaged areas, industrial areas, urban and rural
areas, and historic landmarks, 1946-48 (CGA, CGB, CGC, CGD; 674
images). U.S. Air Force activities, military projects, and
operations, including the war in Vietnam; airmen and officers;
aircraft and missiles; and airfields and bases in the United
States and overseas, 1955-81 (AF, B, C; 140,245 images).
Finding Aids: Subject and name indexes and shelf lists to series
AF and C.
Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.
This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.
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