Formerly known as the “Ministry of National Defense Air Defense Command,” this Command was established in April 16, 1950, and was ordered to be subordinated to the Air Force General Headquarter on January 1, 1952 bearing the title as “Air Force Air Defense Command.” The command was further reorganized as the “Air Force Combatant Command Headquarters” on April 16, 1953.
Under an organization re-engineering launched on March 1, 2006, the command was renamed as “Air Force Combatant Command” with the subordination of 13 Level 1 unit and a JAOC (Joint Air Operation Command), an ad hoc organization, and the direct command of 3 combat logistics support functions, namely, the “Air Tactical Control Wing,” “The Communications, Air Traffic Control & Information Wing,” and the “Weather Wing”. The command is responsible for the unified command, control of the combat, exercise drill, and training of the ROCAF, and administering the air defense force (power) of the ROC military to yield coordinated combat power and unified air defense.
The Command has fully performed its function of command and control of combat ever since its formation, and has won several glorious battles in the air space of Kinmen and Matsu and surrounding areas on July 21, 1956 with pre-emptive strikes and contributed to the preservation of air superiority over the Taiwan Straits since then.
For the effective monitoring of the activities of the aircrafts from the other side of the Taiwan Straits, and in response to the combat readiness requirements at different stages, the command elected to expand its system capacity and refine its function in stages as planned for the 2nd generation military buildup for the effective control of combat intelligence.
The primary function of this command is the planning, command, and control of combat over the air space of the Taiwan Straits, supervision of the execution of tactical missions, study on the tactics and maneuvering for deterring the enemy, performing the function of automated air defense system, control of the weapon system of the ROC military, performance of air defense mission, and support friendly forces in combat, which eventually contributed to the preservation of air superiority of the air space of the Taiwan Straits and safeguard the security of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.