15th Wing

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.[7] The original squadrons of the group were the 45th,[8] 46th,[9] and 47th Pursuit Squadrons.[10] The group drew its cadre from the 18th Pursuit Group, which had been stationed at Wheeler since 1927.[11] 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.[3]

A little more than a year later, on 7 December 1941, the group engaged in combat action during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii. Bombing and strafing attacks that morning by carrier-based planes of the Japanese strike force destroyed many assigned aircraft and caused heavy casualties.[7] 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,[7] and were later cited for extraordinary heroism during the attack. Both received the Distinguished Service Cross.[12] Because of the heavy casualties suffered by the group in the attack, it was remanned and reorganized.[7]

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).[7] Several months later, the unit was redesignated the 15th Fighter Group.[7] 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. 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,[13] although the squadron remained at Christmas Island during its assignment.[14] The group also deployed other squadrons to the Central and South Pacific for operations against Japanese forces.[7]

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.[15] In March 1943, the 78th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the group.[16] 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.[9] In September, the 45th squadron also deployed to the western Pacific for combat operations,[8] leaving the 47th and 78th with group headquarters in Hawaii.[10][16]

45th Fighter Squadron P-51Ds on an escort mission in June 1945[note 1]

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.[7] 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.[7] By the middle of March, the group also began strikes against enemy airfields, shipping, and military installations in the Bonin Islands.[7]

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.[7] 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.[7]

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.[7] 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.[7] After the war, the group remained on lwo Jima until 25 November 1945, when it transferred (without personnel and equipment) to Bellows Field, Hawaii.[7] There it absorbed the personnel and equipment of the 508th Fighter Group.[17] On 8 February 1946, the unit moved to Wheeler Field, where it remained until inactivated on 15 October 1946.[7] Its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 81st Fighter Group, which assumed its mission.[18]

47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron Convair F-102A at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport[note 3]

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.[25] 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),[7][26] which was already at Niagara Falls, where it had been assigned to the 518th.[26] 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.[27] (later 15th USAF Dispensary)[28][29][30]

The 47th FIS was equipped with radar equipped and rocket armed North American F-86D Sabres.[31] In the fall of 1957, the squadron upgraded to data link equipped F-86Ls[31] and later, by the summer of 1958 to Convair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft[31] 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.[32]

On 1 July 1962, the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was organized by Tactical Air Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida[33] and assigned to the 836th Air Division. Operational squadrons of the wing and squadron tail codes were:

• 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron[8] (FC)
• 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron[9] (FD)
• 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron[10] (FE)
• 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron[34] (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 was obtained from Air National Guard units, in 1964 the wing upgraded to the tail-coded 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.[33] The wing traine pilots and provided logistical support for the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing.[33] It was reorganized as a mission-capable unit at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, returning afterwards to a training mission.[33]

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.[33] The wing deployed 16 F-4s at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, during the Pueblo crisis in 1968.[33]

In 1965, the wing deployed its 43d, 45th, 46th and 47th Tactical Fighter Squadrons to SEA,[33] 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.[33] 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.[35] 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.[36] The 15th was inactivated on 1 October 1970,[33] 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.[37] The 4424th CCTS remained at MacDill, coming under the 1st TFW and finally discontinuing on 30 June 1972[37] with the return of the B-57Gs to the United States (to Kansas ANG).

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.[38] 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.[note 4]

The 15th Air Base Wing managed Hickam, Wheeler, Dillingham, and Johnston Island Air Force Bases, Bellows Air Force Station, and several smaller subsidiary bases.[33] It provided base level support for headquarters PACAF and more than 100 tenant organizations.[33] 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[33] until inactivating in 1975, when the wing absorbed its assets.[39] Its 9th Airborne Command and Control Squadron provided airborne command and control support for CINCPAC.[33] 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.

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.[3] In 1980 the wing participated in Project Lagoon, a program to remove radioactive waste from Enewetak Atoll.[3]

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.[40]

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,[41] which occurred on 23 July, when the 96th Air Refueling Squadron was assigned to the wing's operations group.[41] 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.[42][43]

Groups

• 15th Operations Group: 13 April 1992 – present[44]
• 15th Combat Support Group (later 15th Support Group, 15th Mission Support Group): 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970,[36] 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

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[44]

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 1986[45]
• 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[29][45]
• 15th Materiel Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960[30]
• 15th Organizational Maintenance Squadron: 1 July 1962 – 1 November 1966, 1 November 1981 – 1 July 1986[45]
• 15th Security Police Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992[38]
• 15th Services Squadron: 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992[38]
• 15th Supply Squadron: 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970, 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992[45]
• 15th Transportation Squadron: 8 June 1969 – 1 October 1970, 1 November 1971 – 13 April 1992[45]
• 415th Munitions Maintenance Sq: 15 May 1963 – 20 February 1968[38]

Other

• 15th USAF Infirmary (later 15th USAF Dispensary, 15th Tactical Hospital): 18 August 1955 – 1 July 1960, 8 July 1969 – 1 October 1970[27][28]

• 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[44]

Explanatory notes

Footnotes

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• 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 (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center.
• Lambert, John W. (1982). The Long Campaign: The History of the 15th Fighter Group in World War II. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7643-2428-4.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 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. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.