Fighter jets F-35s have been moved to Kadena, and there's no predetermined schedule for the deployment of F-15EXs.
Swapping Stingers for Soaring Eagles: F-15EX Arrival at Kadena Awaited
There's a storm brewing in the skies above Kadena Air Base, Japan, as the highly-anticipated F-15EX Eagle II fighters wait in the wings, ready to making their debut. Hill Air Force Base fighters from Utah have taken the first leap, touching down at Kadena, enhancing the base's fifth-generation airpower capabilities.
Despite the 18th Wing confirming the deployment, they remain tight-lipped on the exact number of F-35s and the specific arrival date, owing to operational security concerns. Local news has reported the newly-arrived F-35s on November 1.
With the Hill F-35s joining the ranks, Kadena now hosts a varied fleet of jets, including F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, F-22s from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and a yet-undisclosed number of F-15s.
In 2022, the Air Force announced its plans for replacing the F-15C/D models stationed at Kadena for years. However, the exact timeline for the arrival of the new F-15EX remains uncertain as the U.S and Japan governments have yet to agree on a transition schedule.
Traditionally, these rotations last around six months. Hill F-35s were last deployed at Kadena last November and returned home in April, with Kadena also welcoming F-35s from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during the spring and summer of the same year.
The region is currently wrestling with uncertainty, with North Korea’s recent missile launch and the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump potentially escalating tensions between the U.S. and China. Kadena, being the closest U.S. airbase to Taiwan, a hotspot in the U.S.-China competition, is under the microscope. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has hinted at a potential seizure of Taiwan by force, as early as 2027.
In the meantime, the U.S. Air Force has been gearing up for the F-15EXs' arrival. The first operational jets were delivered to Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, in June, with the service aiming to qualify Kadena’s first cadre of instructor pilots and maintainers from a team of rotating maintainers from Kadena, undergoing specialized training in Portland.
The F-15EX brings technological upgrades, offering superior engines, avionics, sensors, and increased weapons-carrying capacity. This modernization will radically transform Kadena's combat power, making it more flexible, responsive to regional contingencies, and ensuring U.S. readiness and deterrence. The arrival of F-15EXs in 2026 will be a significant stride in securing the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining its technological and operational edge against a rising power.
Air Power
Sources: 1 [The Drive], 2 [Air Force Magazine], 3 [Defense News]
- The U.S. Air Force is working closely with the industry to ensure the readiness of the F-15EXs, as their arrival at Kadena Air Base is anticipated to bolster the region's security.
- With the F-15EX's arrival, Kadena Air Base will not only have an enhanced combat power due to the jet's increased weapons-carrying capacity, but also be better equipped to respond to regional contingencies.
- The Pentagon, in collaboration with the finance sector and aerospace industry, is investing heavily in the F-15EX program to maintain its military edge in the busy Indo-Pacific region.
- The Space Force, a critical branch of the U.S. military, recognizes the importance of securing space and its role in enhancing overall military capabilities, as it prepares to jointly operate with forces like the Air Force and Air National Guard in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The upcoming F-15EX deployment to Kadena Air Base signifies a significant shift in the military landscape of the region, as this modernization will not only provide enhanced security but also contribute to maintaining a competitive edge against rising powers.
