The vision of the 15th Airlift Wing is projecting peace and power in the Pacific and beyond. The mission of the 15 AW is to develop and sustain the total force, provide ready Airmen, deliver worldclass global mobility and en route support.

The wing is a subordinate command of the Thirteenth Air Force and reports to the 13 AF commander.

Major responsibilities of the wing are providing airlift throughout the Pacific with the C-17s stationed at Hickam, providing maintenance and refueling for aircraft transiting Hickam between the Continental United States and the Western Pacific, and housing and feeding transient personnel. There are eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs assigned to the 15th Airlift Wing. Two Special Air Mission aircraft are also assigned: a C-40 and a C-37; both are flown by the wing's 65th Airlift Squadron which provide airlift for the United States Pacific Command and the Pacific Air Forces commanders.

Air Force installations under the wing's jurisdiction include: Hickam Air Force Base: Home of Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, 13th Air Force and the 15th Airlift Wing. The wing consists of 2,850 acres of land and facilities valued at more than $405 million. Sharing its runways with adjacent Honolulu International Airport (HIA), Hickam and the HIA constitute a single airport complex operated under a joint-use agreement.

The 15th Operations Group is comprised of four distinct squadrons; the 65th Airlift Squadron, 535th Airlift Squadron, 25th Air Support Operations Squadron, and 15th Operations Support Squadron. With just over 300 personnel, the 15th Operations Group is responsible for overseeing the safe and effective use of $1.7 billion in C-17A, C-37 and C-40 aircraft executing a $55.3 million flying hour program in support of worldwide airlift requirements.

The 65th Airlift Squadron provides global airlift on specially-configured C-40B and C-37A aircraft supporting the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, Pacific Air Forces and U.S. and foreign dignitaries in direct support of U.S. foreign policy.

The 535th Airlift Squadron provides combatready C-17A aircrew for the execution of worldwide airlift missions supporting national security and Department of Defense directives. Air crews maintain mission readiness in night vision goggle, aerial refueling, airdrop, low-level, austere airfield and emergency nuclear airlift operations in support of JCS exercises, global contingencies, Presidential support, humanitarian airlift and aeromedical evacuations.