Skip to content
Aerospace — Aircraft — Space — Weapons — Defense — Industry — Finance — Air force

Fighter jets F-35s depart from Vermont for Kadena Air Base

U.S. fighters of the F-35 Lightning II type, under the command of the Vermont Air National Guard, relocated to Kadena Air Base in Japan on January 13. This base serves as a significant strategic location for the U.S. in the Pacific region.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
U.S. Air National Guard's F-35 jet fighters dispatched to Kadena Airbase, Japan, a strategic...
U.S. Air National Guard's F-35 jet fighters dispatched to Kadena Airbase, Japan, a strategic American stronghold in the Pacific, on January 13th.

Fighter jets F-35s depart from Vermont for Kadena Air Base

Livin' the Jet Life: F-35 Lightning II Deploys to Kadena Air Base

The badass F-35 Lightning II fighters from Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing have touched down at Kadena Air Base, Japan, marking the latest rotation of fighter jets to this strategic U.S. outpost in the western Pacific. Here's the lowdown.

These badass F-35s will serve as the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, a role they've earned following their unit's transformation into the first Guard unit to be equipped with the fifth-generation multirole fighter in 2019.

Now, Kadena Air Base is saying goodbye to the aging F-15C/D Eagles, which have been a staple at the base since the late '70s. But don't fret, the Air Force is planning to swap these old birds for beefed-up fourth-generation F-15EX Eagle II jets in the future. In the meantime, they're maintaining a fighter presence in Japan with regularly rotating deployments.

Joining these newcomers at Kadena are other F-35 Lightning II brothers, along with air superiority F-22 Raptors, and multirole F-16 Fighting Falcons. The F-35s already stationed there hail from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, while the F-16s have flown in from the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and the F-22s belong to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Yeah, the U.S. Marine Corps also rocks F-35s from their Japan bases.

The F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s will keep providing killer fighter capabilities to support U.S. Pacific Command objectives. "These continuous rotations of aircraft at Kadena ensure the 18th Wing remains flexible and postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to deter aggression," said Col. David Deptula, commander of the 18th Operations Group.

Thanks to these deployments, the Air Force can maintain a steady-state fighter presence as they retire or reassign the old F-15C/Ds. The Air Force isn't dishing out how many operational F-15C/Ds are still kickin' things at Kadena though.

Rotational units stationed at Kadena have been exercising their muscles in the region, and the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is eager to step up their training and put Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts to the test during this deployment.

"This training will significantly enhance our operational versatility in the Indo-Pacific," said Lt. Col. Trevor Callen, the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander.

The 18th Wing will carry on receiving rotational units that bolster their capabilities and air prowess, working side by side with allies and partners. Look out, world—these jets are ready to soar!

  1. The arrival of the F-35 Lightning II at Kadena Air Base signals the transformation of the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, a role they've earned as the first Guard unit to be equipped with the fifth-generation multirole fighter.
  2. In the future, the Air Force plans to replace the aging F-15C/D Eagles at Kadena with beefed-up fourth-generation F-15EX Eagle II jets, maintaining a fighter presence in Japan despite rotating deployments.
  3. The aerospace industry's finance sector will play a significant role in the Air Force's plans, as the old F-15C/Ds are retired or reassigned, allowing for the acquisition of new aircraft.
  4. As the U.S. Pacific Command's objectives require, the F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s at Kadena will continue to provide powerful air capabilities, with the F-35s joining from Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and other allied bases.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest