Established in 1942, along with the VIII bomber, fighter and air support commands that filled out the Eighth Air Force, it was commanded by General Henry J. F. Miller.

In July 1942, General Hugh J. Knerr assumed the duties of deputy commander.

While deputy commander, Knerr had pressed for a reorganization of the Eighth Air Force that would place logistics on the same level with combat operations.

By December 1943 the service command had absorbed the personnel and functions of A-4 to become the sole logistical agency entitled to act in the name of the commanding general, Eighth Air Force.

With the expansion of the Ninth Air Force and its BADA and AADA in England, the VIII Air Force Service Command focused more on policy as it integrated with the highest air headquarters to function as a de facto air service command for the European theater, operating chiefly as a staff agency for the entire theater.