515th Air Mobility Operations Wing

515th Air Mobility Operations Wing
Unit name	515th Air Mobility Operations Wing
Dates	1949–1952; 2003–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Air Mobility Operations Wing
Role	Expeditionary Air Mobility Support
Command structure	Eighteenth Air Force
Garrison	Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii
Motto	"Kūlia I Ka Nu'u" (Hawaiian: Strive for the Summit)
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Current commander	Colonel John A. Smith

515th Air Mobility Operations Wing. The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Eighteenth Air Force under Air Mobility Command. Headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam in Hawaii, it provides expeditionary command and control for en route support across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. The wing's geographically separated units ensure the rapid global mobility of forces through critical aerial port and maintenance functions.

History

The wing was first constituted as the 515th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, in 1949 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. It was subsequently redesignated as the 515th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy, and trained with aircraft like the C-119 Flying Boxcar before inactivating in 1952. The unit was reactivated in its current form in 2003 at Hickam Air Force Base, absorbing the resources of the inactivated 15th Airlift Wing to better support the Global War on Terrorism. Since reactivation, it has played a pivotal role in operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Allies Refuge.

Mission

The primary mission is to provide expeditionary command and control for the Air Mobility Command en route support system within the United States Indo-Pacific Command theater. This involves ensuring the seamless flow of personnel, equipment, and supplies through a network of aerial ports of debarkation. The wing enables global reach for joint and allied forces by managing airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation support across vast distances. Its capabilities are critical to Department of Defense contingency response and humanitarian aid missions throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Organization

The wing is organized under a traditional staff structure with groups and squadrons executing its core functions. The 735th Air Mobility Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam serves as the wing's primary operating location. Key subordinate units include the 615th Air Mobility Operations Group at Travis Air Force Base in California and the 715th Air Mobility Operations Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. These groups oversee numerous air mobility operations squadrons and contingency response elements stationed at strategic nodes like Andersen Air Force Base on Guam and Yokota Air Base in Japan.

Bases and units

The wing headquarters is located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. Its geographically separated units span the globe, with significant concentrations in the Pacific and CONUS. Major units include the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska, and the 730th Air Mobility Squadron at Yokota Air Base. Other critical locations host aerial port squadrons such as the 732d Air Mobility Squadron at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and the 733d Air Mobility Squadron at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Aircraft operations

While the wing itself does not operate a permanent fleet of aircraft, it directly supports all Air Mobility Command aircraft transiting its area of responsibility. This includes providing essential services for the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-46 Pegasus, and C-130 Hercules. Its units manage airfield operations, aircraft maintenance, load planning, weather forecasting, and security forces for these mobility assets. The wing's en route support system is vital for missions ranging from combat airlift to disaster relief across the Pacific Air Forces theater.

Commanders

Command of the wing is held by a Colonel in the United States Air Force. Recent commanders have included Colonel Christopher G. Bence and Colonel Jason D. A. Schneider. The commander reports directly to the Eighteenth Air Force commander at Scott Air Force Base. The wing's leadership is responsible for integrating the operations of its dispersed units with higher headquarters directives from Air Mobility Command and combatant command priorities from United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Category:Air Mobility Command wings Category:Military units and formations in Hawaii Category:Military units and formations established in 1949