Major Command Patches

Air Force Major Commands (MAJCOM) Patches

What Is a Major Command?

In the United States Air Force, a Major Command (MAJCOM) is a top-level organizational authority responsible for a specific mission area such as global strike, air combat, mobility, space, training, or logistics. MAJCOMs are where strategy becomes action — they organize, train, and equip forces to carry out the Air Force’s core missions worldwide.

When Major Commands Began

Air Force Major Commands were formally established when the U.S. Air Force became a separate branch in 1947, evolving from Army Air Forces structures used during World War II. Since then, MAJCOMs have expanded and adapted through the Cold War, Vietnam, the Global War on Terror, and today’s space and cyber domains.

What Major Commands Do

Each MAJCOM oversees a distinct mission set, including:

• Strategic deterrence and nuclear operations

• Air superiority and combat aviation

• Global mobility and airlift

• Space and cyber operations

• Education, training, and doctrine

• Logistics, sustainment, and readiness

Examples include commands responsible for strategic bombers and ICBMs, fighter forces, airlift and refueling, and space-based operations. These commands control wings, groups, and squadrons across the globe.

Why MAJCOM Patches Matter

Major Command patches represent:

• High-level mission identity

• Career-defining assignments

• Strategic responsibility

• Service at the operational and command level

For airmen, veterans, and collectors, a MAJCOM patch often reflects where critical decisions were made, not just where aircraft flew. These insignia symbolize leadership, scope, and long-term impact on Air Force operations.

Our MAJCOM Patch Collection

This collection features embroidered patches representing historic and active Air Force Major Commands, past and present. Each patch honors the mission, legacy, and airmen who served under these commands — from Cold War deterrence to modern global operations.

Whether worn, displayed, or collected, MAJCOM patches tell the story of how the Air Force organizes for war, deterrence, and defense.