Shield represents past roots, present vision Published Dec. 6, 2006 By 15th Airlift Wing History Office HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- The shield of the 15th Airlift Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and reflects its storied past. It was originally approved for the 15th Fighter Group on Oct. 2, 1942.The ultramarine blue and gold represent Air Force colors while the lightning flashes from the base represent the speed of modern aviation. The gun sight in the center signifies the combat mission of the wing's predecessors. On the original emblem, the Latin words "Prosequor Alis" meaning "I pursue with wings" were below the shield as the wing's motto. Due to a change in mission, the words were replaced with "15th Air Base Wing" at the request of the commander on Dec. 10, 1992. When the 15 ABW redesignated as the 15th Airlift Wing on April 28, 2004, the wording in the scroll was changed accordingly.