Military aircraft began to deploy to Alaska during the last half of 1940. To coordinate air activities there, the Alaskan Defense Command established the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command, on May 29, 1941. Under authority from Western Defense Command, the Alaskan Defense Command replaced the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command, with the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command, on October 17, 1941. Neither the Air Field Forces nor the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command, were legitimate War Department establishments and must be classified in the same category as provisional units, although the term "provisional" was never used in connection with them. The War Department activated the Alaskan Air Force on January 15, 1942, replacing the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command. On 5 February Alaskan Air Force was redesignated 11th Air Force, which became Eleventh Air Force on 18 September. The designation only lasted until 18 December 1945, when the Eleventh Air Force was redesignated the Alaskan Air Command.

In 1990, Eleventh Air Force was revived as a designation with the subordination of Alaskan Air Command to Pacific Air Forces.

Commands During World War II

• XI Bomber Command 1942-44
• XI Fighter Command 1943-44