The Fifteenth Air Forces area of operations extends west of the Mississippi River to the east coast of Africa, and from pole to pole. However, from its headquarters at Travis AFB, California, it is often tasked with supporting AMC`s operations worldwide.

Its primary mission is to provide airlift, aeromedical evacuation and air refueling for all DoD agencies during peacetime and war. In all, it has seven wings and groups assigned and received its first C-17A`s in June 1999 when the 62nd AW began converting to the Globemaster III. Additionally, 17 wings are gained from ANG.