15th Wing

October 2016 May 2020 15th Wingcenter|60px File:C-17 Globemaster III.jpg 290 C-17 Globemaster IIIs of the 15th Wing at Hickam AFB 1940–1946, 1955–1960, 1962–1970, 1971–present USA Composite Fighter and Airlift Pacific Air Forces Colonel Kyle Clinton Colonel Ryan M. Graf Vice Commander Chief Master Sergeant Michael M. Haywood Command Chief Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii la Prosequor Alis I Pursue with Wings (1942–1992) http://www.15wing.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101221-049.pdf 15th Wing Heritage Pamphlet December 2010 15th Wing History Office dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110723054558/http://www.15wing.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101221-049.pdf 23 July 2011 25 July 2012 Pacific Ocean theater of World War II 150pxDistinguished Unit Citation (1x) 150pxAir Force Outstanding Unit Award (13x) 165px 15th Wing emblemapproved 15 March 1963 based on emblem approved 5 October 1942. http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16902 Robertson Patsy Factsheet 15 Wing (PACAF) 2 December 2010 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232650/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16902 22 April 2014 14 May 2014 HH Tail code 250px Tail Flash The 15th Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. The wing reports to 11th Air Force, Headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Its history goes back to just before World War II, when the 15th Pursuit Group was organized at Wheeler Field, Hawaii from elements of the 18th Pursuit Group. The group's combat effectiveness was largely destroyed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Remanned and re-equipped as the 15th Fighter Group, it remained in the Hawaiian islands to provide for the air defense of the islands, although it deployed squadrons and detachments to the Central and Western Pacific areas. It later became a Twentieth Air Force very long range fighter group on Iwo Jima, escorting Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers that attacked the Japanese home Islands. In April 1945 the group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for combat action over Japan. Following the end of the war, the group returned to Hawaii, where it was inactivated in 1946. The group was again activated in 1955 to replace the 518th Air Defense Group as part of Air Defense Command's Project Arrow, which replaced units formed during the Cold War with those that had a distinguished history in the two world wars. It performed the air defense mission at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York until it was discontinued in 1960 and its mission assumed by the New York Air National Guard. In July 1962, Tactical Air Command organized the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing as the second McDonnell F-4 Phantom II wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Although its companion 12th Tactical Fighter Wing was one of the first wings deployed during the Vietnam War, the 15th acted as an F-4 combat crew training unit during this era, although it assumed a tactical role during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Pueblo crisis. In 1970 the wing was inactivated and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, which moved on paper to MacDill from Hamilton Air Force Base, California. Little more than a year later, the wing returned to Hawaii as the 15th Air Base Wing, when it replaced the 6486th Air Base Wing as the host organization at Hickam Air Force Base. The wing has been stationed at Hickam AFB (now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam) since then. In 1984, the 15th group and 15th wing were consolidated into a single unit. Mission The mission of the 15th Wing is to develop and sustain combat-ready airmen, in partnership with the total force, to provide global mobility, global reach, precision engagement, and agile combat support anytime, anywhere. https://www.15wing.af.mil The Official Web Site of the 15th Wing 15th Wing Public Affairs 14 October 2014 The 15th Wing partners with the 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard to provide strategic and tactical airlift capability to Pacific Air Forces and Air Mobility Command and to support local and worldwide missions of combat support and humanitarian or disaster relief.https://www.jber.jb.mil/ Factsheet 11th Air Force 1 June 2015 11th Air Force Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20150926233642/http://www.jber.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13259 26 September 2015 live 14 October 2014 To execute its mission, the wing has established priorities: First, execute the mission; second ensure readiness; third develop the wing's airmen; fourth, grow resilient airmen and families; and fifth, strengthen partnerships. Units The 15 Wing is composed of four groups and one direct reporting squadron each with specific functions. The operations group controls all flying and airfield operations. The maintenance group performs aircraft and aircraft support equipment maintenance. The medical group provides medical and dental care. The 647th Air Base Group provides direct mission support and all Air Force communications. The 15th Comptroller Squadron performs financial management for the wing. The remaining functions of the wing are staff agencies. 80px15th Operations Group 50px15th Operations Support Squadron 50px19th Fighter Squadron (F-22) 50px65th Airlift Squadron (C-37, C-40) 50px535th Airlift Squadron (C-17) (tail code: HH) 85px15th Maintenance Group 50px15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 50px15th Maintenance Squadron 50px15th Maintenance Operations Squadron 80px15th Medical Group 50px15th Healthcare Operations Squadron 50px15th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron 50px15th Medical Support Squadron 80px647th Air Base Group 50px647th Civil Engineer Squadron 50px647th Force Support Squadron 50px647th Logistics Readiness Squadron 50px647th Security Forces Squadron 50px747th Cyber Space Squadron 50px15th Comptroller Squadron Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam is also host to numerous tenant organizations. The Air Force side of the installation supports 140 tenant and associate units. http://www.15wing.af.mil/units/index.asp 15th Wing Units 15th Wing Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20140911015423/http://www.15wing.af.mil/units/index.asp 11 September 2014 14 October 2014 History World War II thumb|P-36A of the 15th Pursuit Group The unit was originally constituted as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) and was activated at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, on 1 December 1940 as part of the defense force for the Hawaiian Islands.Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 59 The original squadrons of the group were the 45th, http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16316 Robertson Patsy Factsheet 45 Fighter Squadron (AFRC) 24 November 2010 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204932/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16316 29 October 2013 2 April 2012 46th,Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 204 and 47th Pursuit Squadrons. http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10250 Endicott Judy Factsheet 47 Fighter Squadron (AFRC) 18 December 2007 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011246/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10250 13 May 2014 2 April 2012 The group drew its cadre from the 18th Pursuit Group, which had been stationed at Wheeler since 1927.Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 63–65 In addition to its primary combat aircraft the group flew the Curtiss A-12 Shrike, Grumman OA-9 Goose, Martin B-12 and Boeing P-26 Peashooter during the prewar period. A little more than a year later, on 7 December 1941, the group fought the Japanese after they began their Attack on Pearl Harbor. Bombing and strafing attacks that morning by carrier-based planes of the Japanese strike force destroyed many assigned aircraft and caused heavy casualties. However, twelve of the group's pilots succeeded in launching their Curtiss P-36 Hawk and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft from Wheeler and Haleiwa Fighter Strip, and flew 16 sorties, destroying 10 Japanese planes. Second Lieutenants George S. Welch and Kenneth M. Taylor, P-40 pilots assigned to the 47th Pursuit Squadron, shot down four and two Japanese aircraft, respectively, and were later cited for extraordinary heroism during the attack. Both received the Distinguished Service Cross.Sullivan Patricia Pilot shot down planes in Pearl Harbor attack The Washington Post (printed in The San Diego Union Tribune) 10 December 2006 http://www.uniontrib.com/uniontrib/20061210/news_lz1j10taylor.html 23 March 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110603233124/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061210/news_lz1j10taylor.html 3 June 2011 dead Because of the heavy casualties suffered by the group in the attack, it was remanned and reorganized. thumb|P-39Qs of the 46th Fighter Sq at Makin Island in December 1943. On 12 February 1942, the unit was redesignated the 15th Pursuit Group (Interceptor). Several months later, the unit was redesignated the 15th Fighter Group. That summer, the group's mission changed. Although defense of the islands continued to be an important responsibility, continuing to provide combat training for fighter pilots with the Bell P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt became the primary mission of the elements of the group remaining in Hawaii for the next two years.October 2014 In August 1942, the 12th Fighter Squadron, which had deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater and been attached to VII Fighter Command, was assigned to the group,Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 65–66 although the squadron remained at Christmas Island during its assignment. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433954/12-fighter-squadron-pacaf/ Robertson Patsy Factsheet 12 Fighter Squadron (PACAF) 2 January 2008 Air Force Historical Research Agency 30 October 2014 The group also deployed other squadrons to the Central and South Pacific for operations against Japanese forces. The following March, the 6th Night Fighter Squadron was assigned to the group. During this assignment, which lasted a little more than a year, the 6th kept detachments of its Douglas P-70 Havocs and Northrop P-61 Black Widows on Guadalcanal and New Guinea.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 39–40 In March 1943, the 78th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the group.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 179–180 The 78th in effect replaced the 46th Fighter Squadron, which moved to Makin Island and Canton Island for operations against the Japanese, although the 46th remained assigned to the group until June 1944. In September, the 45th squadron also deployed to the western Pacific for combat operations, leaving the 47th and 78th with group headquarters in Hawaii. thumb|45th Fighter Squadron P-51Ds on an escort mission in June 1945North American P-51D-20-NA Mustangs serials 44-63325 44-63314 44-63474 44-63428 are pictured. Then, in April 1944, the deployed elements of the 15th Fighter Group returned to Hawaii and began training for very long range bomber escort missions, obtaining North American P-51 Mustangs later in the year. In January 1945, ordered into combat, the group left Hawaii for Saipan in the Marianas Islands, remaining there until a landing strip could be secured by the Marines on Iwo Jima. The first fighter aircraft to arrive at Iwo Jima were P-51s of the 15th's 47th Fighter Squadron the morning of 6 March, with the 45th and 78th Squadrons following the next day. They supported Marine ground units by bombing and strafing cave entrances, trenches, troop concentrations, and storage areas. By the middle of March, the group also began strikes against enemy airfields, shipping, and military installations in the Bonin Islands. On 7 April 1945, the 15th flew its first Very Long Range (VLR) mission to Japan, providing fighter escort for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers that attacked the Nakajima aircraft plant near Tokyo, and was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. In late April and early May that year, the 15th struck Japanese airfields on Kyūshū to curtail the enemy's suicide attacks against the invasion force on Okinawa and also hit enemy troop trains, small factories, gun positions, and hangars in the Bonins and Japan. During the summer of 1945, the 15th Fighter Group (along with the 21st Fighter Group and the VII Fighter Command) were reassigned to Twentieth Air Force. The group continued its fighter sweeps against Japanese airfields and other targets, in addition to flying long-range B-29 Superfortress escort missions to Japanese cities, until the end of the war. After the war, the group remained on lwo Jima until 25 November 1945, when it transferred (without personnel and equipment) to Bellows Field, Hawaii. There it absorbed the personnel and equipment of the 508th Fighter Group.Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 59, 371 On 8 February 1946, the unit moved to Wheeler Field, where it remained until inactivated on 15 October 1946. Its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 81st Fighter Group, which assumed its mission.See Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 59, 146 Aerial Victories Number Note Group Hq 3 Newton & Senning, p. 534Victories for the 6th Night Fighter Squadron, 12th Fighter Squadron and 46th Fighter Squadron include only victories credited while assigned or attached to the 15th Fighter Group. 6th Night Fighter Squadron 20 Newton & Senning, p. 526 12th Fighter Squadron 5 Newton & Senning, pp. 533 45th Fighter Squadron 33.5 Newton & Senning, p. 551 46th Fighter Squadron 7 47th Fighter Squadron 43 Newton & Senning, pp. 551–552 78th Fighter Squadron 39 Newton & Senning, p. 572 Group Total 150.5 Air Defense Command thumb|47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Convair F-102A at Niagara Falls Municipal AirportConvair F-102A-55-CO Delta Dagger serial 56-1021 is pictured in 1959. The 15th was again activated on 18 August 1955 as the 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense) at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York, where it replaced the 518th Air Defense Group as a result of Air Defense Command (ADC)'s Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list fighter units which had compiled memorable records during the two World Wars.Buss, Sturm, Volan, & McMullen, p.6 There it was responsible for the air defense of an area that included Western and Northern New York and parts of Ontario, Canada. It was reunited with one of its former units, now designated the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS),Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 206 which was already at Niagara Falls, where it had been assigned to the 518th. The group was also assigned several support squadrons to perform its mission as USAF host unit for the active duty portions of Niagara Falls Airport.See http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/406/688.xml Abstract, History 15 Infirmary Aug–Dec 1955 Air Force History Index 3 April 2012 (later 15th USAF Dispensary) http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/406/691.xml Abstract, History 15 Dispensary Jan–Jun 1957 Air Force History Index 3 April 2012Cornett & Johnson, p. 135Cornett & Johnson, p. 145 The 47th FIS was equipped with radar equipped and rocket armed North American F-86D Sabres.Cornett & Johnson, p. 115 In the fall of 1957, the squadron upgraded to data link equipped F-86Ls and later, by the summer of 1958 to Convair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft The group performed air defense operations for the 4707th Air Defense Wing and Syracuse Air Defense Sector until July 1960, when it was discontinued. Its mission was assumed by units of ADC's Air National Guard augmentation program.See http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/463/926.xml Abstract, Vol. 1, History 26 Air Division (SAGE) Apr–Dec 1960 Air Force History Index 1 November 2014 Vietnam War Error On 1 July 1962, the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was organized by Tactical Air Command at MacDill Air Force Base, FloridaRavenstein, pp. 30–32 and assigned to the 836th Air Division. Operational squadrons of the wing and squadron tail codes were: 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron (FC) 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron (FD) 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron (FE) 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10244 Bailey Carl E. Factsheet 43 Fighter Squadron (AETC) 18 December 2007 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010713/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10244 13 May 2014 2 April 2012 (FB)(Activated on 8 January 1964 as part of a wing transition from three squadrons of 25 aircraft each to four squadrons of 18 aircraft each.) 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron (briefly assigned in 1967 on redeployment from Southeast Asia (SEA), then moved to Homestead AFB, Florida The wing was initially equipped with the obsolescent Republic F-84F Thunderstreak which were obtained from Air National Guard units. In 1964 the wing upgraded to the McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II. The 15 TFW was the second wing to be equipped with the F-4. The mission of the 15 TFW was to conduct tactical fighter combat crew training. The wing participated in a variety of exercises, operations and readiness tests of Tactical Air Command. The wing traine pilots and provided logistical support for the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. It was reorganized as a mission-capable unit at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, returning afterwards to a training mission. With the departure of the 12 TFW in 1965, the 15 TFW's mission became acting as a replacement training unit for F-4 aircrews prior to their deployment to Southeast Asia. The wing deployed 16 F-4s at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, during the Pueblo crisis in 1968. In 1965, the wing deployed its 43d, 45th, 46th and 47th Tactical Fighter Squadrons to SEA, where they participated in the air defense commitment for the Philippines from Clark AB and flew combat missions from Cam Rahn Bay Air Base in South Vietnam and Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. Members of the 45 TFS achieved the first U.S. Air Force aerial victories of the Vietnam War when they destroyed two MIGs on 10 July 1965. Captains Thomas S. Roberts, Ronald C. Anderson, Kenneth E. Holcombe, and Arthur C. Clark received credit for these kills. The 43d TFS was reassigned to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska on 4 January 1970. Beginning in October 1968, when the 4424th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) was organized, the wing began Martin B-57G Canberra night intruder tactical bomber aircrew training. On 8 February 1969, the 13th Bombardment Squadron, was organized as a tactical B-57 squadron (Tail Code: FK) Night Intruder tactical bomber aircrew training. http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9797 Haulman Daniel L. Factsheet 13 Bomb Squadron (AFGSC) 20 August 2011 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20141013084701/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9797 13 October 2014 2 April 2012 The squadron and eleven aircraft deployed to Ubon RTAFB, Thailand on 1 October 1970. Three B-57Gs were left behind at MacDill with the 4424th CCTS as trainers. In 1969, the wing assumed host USAF responsibility for MacDill from the 836th AD and was assigned the 15th Combat Support Group to carry out this mission.Mueller, pp. 345–354 The 15th was inactivated on 1 October 1970, and was replaced by the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing when the 1st TFW was reassigned from ADC to Tactical Air Command and moved from Hamilton AFB, CA to MacDill.Ravenstein, p. 7 The 4424th CCTS remained at MacDill, coming under the 1st TFW and finally discontinuing on 30 June 1972 with the return of the B-57Gs to the United States (to Kansas ANG). Pacific Air Forces thumb|Special mission aircraft of the wing's 65th Airlift Squadron One year later, on 20 October 1971, the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 15th Air Base Wing and activated at Hickam AFB, Hawaii on 1 November 1971. Assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the 15th assumed the personnel, equipment, mission, and duties previously performed by the 6486th Air Base Wing, which was simultaneously discontinued.See Mueller, p. 236 This reactivation reestablished the organization in Hawaii, where the 15th Pursuit Group was formed in 1940, and the lineage, history and honors of the 15th Fighter Group were bestowed on the Wing.This temporary bestowal ended in 1984 when the 15th Air Base Wing was consolidated with the 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense), merging the two into a single unit. Ravenstein, Appendix V, USAF Bestowed History, pp. 315–17. The 15th Air Base Wing managed Hickam, Wheeler, Dillingham, and Johnston Island Air Force Bases, Bellows Air Force Station, and several smaller subsidiary bases. It provided base level support for headquarters PACAF and more than 100 tenant organizations. Its 15th Operations Squadron provided special airlift for the Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC), and the USAF and US Army components of Pacific Command, initially with VC-118 aircraft until inactivating in 1975, when the wing absorbed its assets.Mueller, Air Force Bases, p. 266 Its 9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron provided airborne command and control support for CINCPAC. Responsibility for Johnston Island subsequently transferred to the Defense Nuclear Agency on 1 July 1973; but on that same date, the 15th ABW assumed operational responsibility for Wake Island. Dillingham later transferred to Army control on 27 February 1975, as did Wheeler AFB on 1 November 1991. In 1999, the 15th ABW once again assumed responsibility for Johnston Island. Operational control of Wake Island transferred to the 36th Air Base Wing (13th Air Force), Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on 1 October 2000.November 2014 From April to September 1975, the wing sheltered over 93,000 orphans, evacuees, and refugees from Southeast Asia as part of Operation Babylift and Operation New Life. In 1980 the wing participated in Project Lagoon, a program to remove radioactive waste from Enewetak Atoll. On 13 April 1992 the 15th Operations Group was activated as the wing implemented the USAF objective wing organization. Upon activation, the group assumed was reassigned the wing's operational squadrons and the newly activated 15th Operations Support Squadron. It also managed operational matters at Hickam and Bellows in Hawaii and Wake Island Airfield. Its two flying squadrons provided airborne command and control and airlift for high-ranking officials. The group also provided command and control for the defense of the Hawaiian Islands, including tactical control of Hawaii Air National Guard alert F-15 aircraft.http://www.15wing.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5156 Factsheet, 15th Operations Group 18 July 2013 15th Wing Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20150927035550/http://www.15wing.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5156 27 September 2015 dead 29 October 2014 On 28 April 2003, the wing was redesignated the 15th Airlift Wing and begun preparation to stand up a first-of-its-kind active duty/associate Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III organization. Almost three years later, on 8 February 2006 the wing welcomed in the first of eight C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets changing Hickam's identity and mission from strictly en route support to include performing local and worldwide airlift operations in support of combat and humanitarian missions. On 18 May 2010, the wing was redesignated the 15th Wing in anticipation of the addition of air refueling and fighters to its airlift mission,http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11953 Factsheet 96 Air Refueling Squadron (PACAF) 3 April 2014 Air Force Historical Research Agency Robertson Patsy https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010703/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11953 13 May 2014 14 October 2014 which occurred on 23 July, when the 96th Air Refueling Squadron was assigned to the wing's operations group. Four days earlier, its 15th Mission Support Group was inactivated as Hickam Air Force Base became part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam and the US Navy assumed most support responsibility for the installation. In October, the wing added Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors to the aircraft it flies when the 19th Fighter Squadron moved from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska to become an active duty associate unit of the Hawaiian Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron.http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9865 Factsheet 19 Fighter Squadron (PACAF) 3 April 2014 Air Force Historical Research Agency https://web.archive.org/web/20150927120314/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9865 27 September 2015 Robertson Patsy dead 14 October 2014 https://www.15wing.af.mil/News/story/id/123225174/ Allen SSG Nathan The 19th Fighter Squadron comes home to Hickam 5 October 2010 15th Wing Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010959/http://www.15wing.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123225174 13 May 2014 live 25 July 2012 Lineage Constituted as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on 22 November 1940 Activated on 1 December 1940 Redesignated: 15th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 12 February 1942 Redesignated: 15th Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 15 May 1942 Inactivated on 15 October 1946. Redesignated 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955 Activated on 18 August 1955 Discontinued and inactivated on 1 July 1960 Consolidated with the 15th Air Base Wing as the 15th Air Base Wing on 31 January 1984 Constituted as the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing and activated on 17 April 1962 (not organized) Organized on 1 July 1962 Inactivated on 1 October 1970 Redesignated 15th Air Base Wing on 20 October 1971 Activated on 1 November 1971 Consolidated with the 15th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 31 January 1984 Redesignated 15th Airlift Wing on 28 April 2003 Redesignated 15th Wing on 18 May 2010Lineage, assignments, stations, aircraft and awards are in Robertson, Factsheet, 15 Wing, except as noted. Assignments 50% 14th Pursuit Wing, 1 December 1940 7th Interceptor Command (later VII Fighter Command), 23 January 1942 United States Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, 16 July 1945 VII Fighter Command, 5 August 1945 Pacific Air Command, US Army, 25 November 1945 (Attached to 7th Fighter Wing) 7th Fighter Wing, 1 January 1946 Seventh Air Force, 1 March – 15 October 1946 50% 4707th Air Defense Wing, 18 August 1955 30th Air Division, 8 July 1956 Syracuse Air Defense Sector, 1 September 1958 – 1 July 1960 Tactical Air Command, 17 April 1962 (not organized) 836th Air Division, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 Pacific Air Forces, 1 November 1971 Thirteenth Air Force, 6 October 2006 Pacific Air Forces, 28 September 2012 – present Components Groups 15th Operations Group: 13 April 1992 – present 15th Combat Support Group (later 15th Support Group, 15th Mission Support Group): 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970, 13 April 1992 – 14 May 2010 15th Logistics Group (later 15th Maintenance Group: 13 April 1992 – 11 July 2003, 22 July 2005 – present 15th Medical Group (formerly USAF Dispensary, Hickam; USAF Clinic, Hickam), 1 November 1971 – present 647th Air Base Group, 14 May 2020 - present Operational Squadrons 6th Night Fighter Squadron: attached 6 March 1943 – 25 March 1943, assigned 26 March 1943 – 5 June 1944; attached 1 September 1944 – 30 September 1944 9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 31 March 1992 12th Fighter Squadron: 23 August 1942 – 1 December 1942 13th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical: 8 February 1969 – 1 October 1970 (detached 15 September – 1 October 1970) 15th Operations Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 30 June 1975 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 4 April 1980 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron: 8 January 1964 – 15 July 1970 (detached 17 August 1965 – c. 4 January 1966) 45th Pursuit Squadron (later 45th Fighter Squadron, 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron): 1 December 1940 – 15 October 1946, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 (detached 4 April 1965 – 10 August 1965) 46th Pursuit Squadron (later 46th Fighter Squadron, 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron): 1 December 1940 – 24 April 1944, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 (detached 11 May 1965 – 22 August 1965 and 1 November 1965 – 10 November 1965) 47th Pursuit Squadron (later 47th Fighter Squadron, 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron): 1 December 1940 – 15 October 1946; 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 (detached 22 July – 27 November 1965) 65th Airlift Squadron: 10 March – 13 April 1992 78th Fighter Squadron: attached 6 March 1943 – 17 March 1943; assigned 26 March 1943 – 15 October 1946 (detached 26 March 1943 – 10 April 1943) 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron: 25 April – 1 July 1967 4424th Combat Crew Training Squadron: 15 October 1968 – 1 October 1970 Support and Maintenance Squadrons 15th Air Base Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960, 1 November 1971 – 1 November 1991 15th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron (later 15th Avionics Maintenance Squadron): 1 July 1962 – 10 February 1968, 1 November 1971 – 1 July 1986See Mueller, Air Force Bases, pp. 236, 354 15th Comptroller Squadron (previously 15th Comptroller Flight): 13 November 1995 – present 15th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (later 15th Field Maintenance Squadron, 15th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron): 8 July 1957 – 1 July 1960, 1 July 1962 – 1 July 1971, 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992 15th Materiel Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960 15th Organizational Maintenance Squadron: 1 July 1962 – 1 November 1966, 1 November 1981 – 1 July 1986 15th Security Police Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992 15th Services Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992 15th Supply Squadron: 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970, 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992 15th Transportation Squadron: 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970, 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992 415th Munitions Maintenance Sq: 15 May 1963 – 20 February 1968 747th Cyberspace Squadron: 14 May 2010 - present. Redesignated as the 747th Communications Squadron in June 2025. Other 15th USAF Infirmary (later 15th USAF Dispensary, 15th Tactical Hospital): 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960, 8 July 1969 – 1 October 1970 Stations Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii, 1 December 1940< Bellows Field, Territory of Hawaii, 3 June 1944 – 5 February 1945 South Field (Iwo Jima), 6 March 1945 Bellows Field, Territory of Hawaii, 25 November 1945 Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii, 9 February - 15 October 1946 Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York, 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960 MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 1 July 1962 – 1 October 1970 Hickam Air Force Base, (part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam), Hawaii, 1 November 1971 – present Aircraft 22em Curtiss A-12 Shrike, 1940–1942 Grumman OA-9 Goose, 1940–1942 Boeing P-26 Peashooter, 1940–1942 Curtiss P-36 Hawk, 1940–1942 Martin B-12, 1941–1942 Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1941–1944 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, 1941–1944 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1945, 1945–1946, 1946 Douglas P-70 Havoc, 1943–1944 Douglas A-24 Banshee, 1944 North American P-51 Mustang, 1944–1946 Northrop P-61 Black Widow, 1944 Douglas A-26 Invader, 1946 North American F-86D Sabre, 1955–1957 North American F-86L Sabre, 1957–1958 Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, 1958–1960 Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, 1962–1964 Lockheed T-33 T-Bird, 1962–1970, 1972–1987 McDonnell F-4 Phantom II, 1964–1970 Martin B-57G Canberra, 1968–1970 Boeing EC-135, 1971–1992 Cessna O-2 Skymaster, 1972–1980 Boeing C-135 Stratolifter, 1992–2003 C-37 Gulfstream V, 2002–present Boeing C-40 Clipper, 2003–present McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III, 2006–present Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, 2010–2015 https://www.15wing.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/625268/96th-ars-inactivates-after-five-years-at-jbphh/ Paden SSG Teri 96th ARS inactivates after five years at JBPHH 3 September 2015 15th Wing Public Affairs 21 April 2017 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, 2010–present Awards and campaigns AF PUC Distinguished Unit Citation 7 April 1945 Japan, 15th Fighter Group AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 1965 – 1 June 1966 15th Tactical Fighter Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 1969 – 31 December 1969 15th Tactical Fighter Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 4 April 1975 – 3 September 1975 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 25 February 1986 – 25 March 1986 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1989 – 30 June 1991 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1991 – 30 June 1993 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1993 – 30 September 1995 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1995 – 1 August 1997 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 2 August 1997 – 1 August 1999 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 29 November 1999 – 30 November 2001 15th Air Base Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 November 2002 – 31 October 2004 15th Air Base Wing (later 15th Airlift Wing) AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 November 2004 – 31 October 2006 15th Airlift Wing AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 November 2006 – 31 October 2007 15th Airlift Wing Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes200pxCentral Pacific7 December 1941 – 6 December 194315th Fighter Group200pxAir Offensive, Japan17 April 1942 – 2 September 1945 15th Fighter Group See also List of B-57 units of the United States Air Force List of Douglas A-26 Invader operators List of Sabre and Fury units in the US military List of United States Air Force airborne command and control squadrons McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II non-U.S. operators References Notes Explanatory notes Footnotes 30em Bibliography This article contains information from the Hickam AFB Factsheet 15th Wing history which is an official document of the United States Government and is presumed to be in the public domain. Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956) Cornett Lloyd H Johnson, Mildred W A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf 1980 Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center Peterson AFB, CO 29 June 2012 13 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160213173347/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf dead Lambert John W. The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II 1982 Schiffer Publishing Atglen, PA 978-0-7643-2428-4 Maurer, Maurer Air Force Combat Units of World War II 1961 http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180735/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf dead 20 December 2016 reprint 1983 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-02-1 61060979 Maurer, Maurer Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II 1969 http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf dead 20 December 2016 reprint 1982 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-405-12194-6 72556 70605402 Mueller Robert Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf 1989 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 978-0-912799-53-7 Newton, Wesley P. Jr. and Senning, Calvin F., (1963) USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, USAF Historical Study No. 85, p. 534 Ravenstein Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977 1984 https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-12-9 registration External links 15th Wing at GlobalSecurity.org Commanders lead Airmen in changing times, 15th Airlift Wing Press Release, 5 December 2006 (lists commanders of the unit through 2006) autocollapse autocollapse Category:Wings of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations in Hawaii