The 18th Wing is Kadena's host unit. It is the oldest wing on continuous active duty and is the only active wing whose fighters have never served in the continental United States. A variety of units form one of the world's largest and most complex airbases. The wing is responsible for approximately 20,000 Americans stationed at Kadena AB. Over 7,000 airmen, 11,000 family members and 1,300 civilians make up the base's Air Force community. An additional 3,000 Japanese civilians and 10,000 contract employees round out the team.

The 18th Wing's mission is to defend U.S. and Japanese' mutual interests by providing a responsive staging and operational airbase with integrated, deployable, forward-based airpower. The focus of the unit's operations is directed to accomplishing this mission. Strategy used to employ this mission centers around a composite force of combat-ready fighter, air refueling, airborne warning and control and rescue aircraft.