Created as the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing in April 1962 at MacDill AFB, the unit operated the F-84F for two years and the F-4C from 1964. The wing also flew the B-57G, training aircrew for night interdiction duties. Following inactivation in October 1970 the unit was redesignated 15th ABW and moved to Hickam AFB, where it was activated again in November 1971 to administer the Hawaiian base. The T-33A and O-2 were employed alongside four EC-135Ps, with the two former types having since been retired. The four EC-135Ps were subsequently replaced by the EC-135J, although these relocated to Offutt AFB during 1992 when airborne command post duties were centralized with the 55th Wing. The C-135B/C airlifters were transferred from MAC to PACAF in 1992 when the former command inactivated.