Fifteenth Air Force

World War II was well underway when the Fifteenth Air Force was established in the Mediterranean theater as a strategic air force. The new air force drew its operational forces from existing air forces in the European and Mediterranean theaters and commenced combat operations the day after it was formed. In the postwar years it became one of Strategic Air Command's primary numbered air forces. Since its transfer to Air Mobility Command in 1992, Fifteenth Air Force has assumed responsibility for airlift and air refueling missions.