Genesis of the Ninth Air Force Association, Inc.
9AFA began on 20 July 1990 when representatives from nine WWII combat unites gathered in St. Louis, MO. talks focused on meager public knowledge of the illustrious history of the 9th AF, and it was agreed this was due to the non-existence of an umbrella organization to preserve and publicize this ongoing historically significant organization. Now we are a reality and you are part of this massive search for active membership.
9AFA Purposes
- To Preserve and publicize the history of the Ninth Air Force from its beginning in World War II to the present.
- To Honor and Memorialize the sacrifices of our comrades and families.
- To Promote Fellowship among the survivors, families and descendants of people assigned to the 9th AF at any time.
- To Foster a continuing quest for Individual Liberty and Love of our Country.
Note: 9AFA as an “umbrella” is intended to be a service to all members. It does not intend to detract from activities and meeting or other past or present 9th AF unit organizations.
Membership in 9AFA
By-Law Provisions
- 9AFA Directors are elected by mail ballot sent to each voting member.
- Operations to be in keeping with our non-profit corporate charter and with the tax-exempt requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (501-c-19) Veterans Org.
9AFA History
The Ninth Air Force became operational in November of 1942 when the U.S. Middle East A.F. was redesignated the Ninth under command of Maj. Gen. Lewis H. Brereton. Its air support of the British and U.S. Armies in Africa against the Nazis’ Rommel was critical. Gen. Brereton was then ordered to take the 9thAF HQ to England in Oct 1943 to build a Tactical Air Armada for the coming invasion of Europe. By June 6, 1944, D-Day, it had become the largest air force ever assembled under one command – 250,00 people with 3,500 airplanes in 1,500 units. It consisted of Fighter, Bomber, Troop Carrier, Air Defense, Engineer and Service Commands.
On June 6, 1944, the invasion of Normandy was led by the 155th Night Photo Recon & the IX Troop Carrier Command Pathfinder Unit loaded with Pathfinder Troopers of 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions- followed in trail by approximately 1500 transport aircrft loaded with paratroopers and towing gliders. During the invasion, the massive parachute and glider drops were guarded by P-47s, P-38s and P-51s some of which doubled as pin-point dive bombers at the front lines, while the A-20 and B-26 bombes took out key rails and bridges to isolate the Nazis from reinforcing the battle for the Normandy Beaches. Within hours of the beach assaults, the 9th AF Engineers were building airstrips in Normandy so our planes could operate with minimum lost time indirect support of the front line soldiers. Thereafter, by continuously moving our planes to strips just behind the front lines, the 9th AF supported Allied Armies dashing across Western Europe. Included were the airborne assault drops by the Troop Carrier Units on Arnheim seizing the key bridges on the Rhine River; the airborne assault drops by the Troop Carrier Units on Arnheim seizing the key bridges on the Rhine River; the relief supply drops at Bastogne, with 9th AF ending up deep in the heart of Germany on VE Day. This great mobility with combat pilots riding at the head of armored columns providing forward air control-plus a Tactical Air Command Headquarrters working directly alongside each U.S. Army Commander,proved to be the most effective use of air-ground cooperation in the history of warfare.
Since WWII, the 9th AF has continued its roles of providing combat-ready, proficient Air Power-in peacetime; in Korea; in Vietnam; in Grenada; in Panama; and more recently in Operaton Desert Storm (1991) in the Middle East where its performance has been applauded world-wide. The very busy Headquarters of the Ninth Air Force has long been located at Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, SC where it continues 55-plus years of leadership to Central Command.
Bio: Orville B. Iverson, Director 9AFA
Orville first served with the Ninth Air Force in Egypt and Libya as a High Speed Radio Man, handling classified international code messages in early 1943. Subsequently he moved to England with General Brereton’s Headquarters. On D-Day June 6, 1944 he provided radio facilities for General Quesada who directed the Ninth from the Normandy coast. On December 28, 1944 his company received a direct V-1 hit from which he wears the Purple Heart. His final radio station in Europe was next to Buchenwald Concentration Camp at Weimar, Germany. Units were: 414th Signal Company (Libya and Egypt), 9th Tactical Air Command Signal Section, 926th Signal Btn, Co A, and 8th Tactical Command Squadron. For this service he attained the rank of Tech Sergeant and was awarded ten campaign stars.
Orville’s 30 years post-war career was in Education, credentials in K-8, Special Education and Administration. Further experience includes several educational organizations , committees and advisor to the Town Council. He and Mary have participated in many 9AFA projects including the 1994 QE2 D-Day Commemoration, 1995 Arlington Convention, 11 November 1995 Nations Parade in New York for Veterdns Day and 9AFA 1996 Las Vegas Convention.
Orville’s No. 1 priority – Enthusiastic support of 9AFA goals to collect, preserve and publicize the history of the Ninth Air Force. It took a “heap of folks” on the ground to keep one air crew in the air. His FAX and Imac Computer are ready to write articles, inquiries and do some historical research on behalf of the Association. He has written several exciting articles of his WW II experiences.