Here, as the importance of the North Atlantic supply line grew, it assumed responsibility for planning the air defense of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

[9] The command organized Detachment A to manage the 33rd, along with antiaircraft artillery and signal warning units involved in the air defense of Iceland.

[10] The command was charged with control of "active agents" for air defense in its area of responsibility, which included interceptor aircraft, antiaircraft artillery and barrage balloons.

[12][note 3][13] Along the Atlantic coast, Eastern Defense Command established a "vital air defense zone", extending from the coast approximately 150 miles (240 km) inland and 200 miles (320 km) to sea, with long range bombers from 1st Bomber Command flying patrols over the ocean.

[15][16][17] The command's mission of fighter control later expanded to providing emergency flight services to other aircraft and assisting in air sea rescue.

Explanatory notes Citations This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency