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15th Airlift Wing

The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, is a living example of Air Force heritage and mission success. Originally activated Dec. 1, 1940, the 15th Pursuit Group was a fighter unit that flew aircraft out of Wheeler Field, Hawaii. A year later, its Airmen fought the Japanese during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.

The modern-day transition of the wing to its current mission has been long and full of activity over the past 60-plus years. The unit has successfully evolved from a World War II fighter base to an airlift wing.

Today, the wing is the airlift arm of U.S. Pacific Command. Wing members have the job of supporting airlift operations for the command, whose mission is helping promote security and peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region by deterring aggression, advancing regional security cooperation, responding to crises, and fighting to win.

Articles

Airlift wing carries legacy into the future

Commanders lead Airmen in changing times

Historian revisits Dec. 7, 1941

Wing changes missions over time

Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii

Pearl Harbor survivor remembers

After the Pearl Harbor Attack

Former Airman returns to Hickam

Aleutian Islands: World War II secret bases

Shield represents past roots, present vision

Pearl Harbor attack presents parallels, lessons for terror war

World War II veteran visits his past in Hawaii

A Superior Private, a historian remembers

Pearl Harbor mini-sub mission fails, first prisoner captured

Photo Gallery

Documents

7 December 1941: The Air Force Story -- by John R. Kuborn, deputy command historian, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, and Leatrice Arakaki, 15 Air Base Wing historian. This 228-page publication, which is divided into two parts, details the events and actions of the U.S. Army Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1941, with official documents, maps, photos and first-hand accounts.

Click the following links to download the PDF.

7 December 1941: The Air Force Story Part 1

7 December 1941: The Air Force Story Part 2

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