US Sends Superior F-15 Jets To Entrance-Line Air Base Close to China

[ad_1] America has despatched superior variations of the F-15 fighter jet to Kadena Air Base in Japan as a part of efforts to answer China's rising menace.

The U.S. Air Pressure's 18th Wing—the host unit at Kadena—confirmed the arrival of the F-15EX jets, saying they have been there to "conduct integration and familiarization coaching."

Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese language Protection Ministry for remark by way of e mail.

Why It Issues Kadena Air Base is a U.S. air energy hub positioned on Okinawa Island in Japan's southwestern waters. It kinds a part of the First Island Chain underneath a U.S. containment technique geared toward proscribing China's navy actions throughout the Western Pacific Ocean within the occasion of battle.

Because the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan—the self-ruled island that China has threatened to take by drive—the Pentagon plans to switch Kadena's 48 F-15C/D fighter jets with 36 newer F-15EX jets, that are able to carrying extra air-to-air missiles.

What To Know In response to pictures shared by a Japanese plane spotter on X (previously Twitter) and a report by Japanese media, a gaggle of 4 U.S. Air Pressure fighter jets comprising a pair of F-15EX jets, an F-15E jet and an F-16C jet—arrived at Kadena Air Base on Saturday.

どっちランウェイに降りるかてんやわんや、おまけにローアプローチまでやって振り回されました…これからのフライトに期待です。53rd WNG eighty fifth TES "Flying Skulls" F-16C OT 98-0005, F-15E 88-1681, F-15EX 20-0004, 20-0005 Kadena Air Base 20250712 pic.twitter.com/aNs6wN2Dgi

— いらぶちゃー (@okadna35) July 13, 2025 In a press launch issued the identical day, the 18th Wing mentioned the F-15EX jets—assigned to Eglin Air Pressure Base in Florida—will assist put together Kadena Air Base personnel for the deployment of the superior fight plane in spring 2026.

The go to marked a milestone within the Pentagon's effort to modernize U.S. air energy within the area and deter evolving threats, because it supplied pilots and maintainers the chance to coach within the setting the place they may function the plane, in accordance with the 18th Wing.

The F-15EX plane will guarantee Kadena Air Base "stays postured to deal with the dynamic safety setting within the Indo-Pacific area," as they're outfitted with superior avionics and weapon techniques, in addition to expanded capabilities, the Japan-based unit defined.

The specialist outlet The Warfare Zone reported in late June that Kadena Air Base is anticipated to host two squadrons of F-15EX jets, every working 18 plane. Nevertheless, that quantity might improve to 21, because the U.S. Air Pressure has requested an growth of the whole fleet dimension.

A United States F-15EX fighter jet flies over Selfridge Air Nationwide Guard Base in Michigan on June 11, 2025. A United States F-15EX fighter jet flies over Selfridge Air Nationwide Guard Base in Michigan on June 11, 2025. Tech. Sgt. Andrew Schumann/U.S. Air Nationwide Guard Whereas Kadena's fighter jet fleet transitions from the F-15C/D to the F-15EX, the western Pacific base will keep a gradual presence of fighter plane by way of rotational deployments of fourth- and fifth-generation jets, together with the F-15E and the stealthy F-35A.

What Folks Are Saying The U.S. Air Pressure 18th Wing mentioned in a press launch on Saturday: "The 18th Wing stays steadfast in its mission to offer credible fight airpower to discourage regional aggression, guarantee allies and companions, and, if mandatory, defend Japan."

U.S. Air Pressure Brigadier Common Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing, mentioned in a press launch on Saturday: "This [F-15EX] go to ensures we are able to seamlessly combine the plane into our mission units and keep the airpower benefits wanted on this area."

What Occurs Subsequent It stays to be seen whether or not the U.S. will speed up the deployment of F-15EX jets at Kadena as China quickly modernizes its air energy with superior fighter plane.