US Air Force deployed fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters to Japan after decommissioning of F-15 Eagle

F-35A Lightning II multirole fighters of the fifth generation have landed at the Kadena air base in Japan. They

will temporarily replace obsolete F-15 Eagle aircraft.

What is known

In February, the 355th Fighter Squadron of the 18ththe air wing became fully combat-ready. F-35A Lightning II fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived on the Japanese island of Okinawa this week.

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The US Air Force officially announced in the fall of 2022 thatThe F-15 Eagle, which was based on the island of Okinawa, will retire after 43 years of flying. A month later, the process of decommissioning the aircraft was launched. It will last for two years.

In November, fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighters began to arrive at the Kadena base. The US Air Force is also considering deploying X-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial vehicles in Japan.

The 18th Aviation Wing declined to sayhow many F-35A Lighting II fighters arrived in Japan. The local newspaper Okinawa Times, citing anonymous sources, wrote that 12 fifth-generation aircraft had landed at the base.

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According to the spokesman for the 18th Wing1st Lt. Robert Dabbs, the F-35A deployment to Japan is temporary. The aircraft will provide a permanent fighter capability in the region. In addition, Dubbs noted that the US Air Force has not yet decided on a permanent replacement for the F-15.