F-15EX Visits Kadena as Base Preps for Permanent Aircraft

F-15EX Visits Kadena as Base Preps for Permanent Aircraft

An F-15EX fighter touched down at Kadena Air Base, Japan, this week—thought still not on a permanent basis. The Eagle II is on a “visit” to the crucial Pacific base on Okinawa, according to a July 1 release from the 18th Wing, as personnel there make preparations for EXs to be permanently stationed there. That process was originally supposed to start this spring but has been pushed back to 2027. Two F-15Es accompanied the F-15EX as it arrived …

F-15EX Eagle II returns to Kadena Air Base as U.S. Air Force prepares Japan fighter hub for long-term transition

The deployment builds on the F-15EX’s inaugural visit to Kadena last year. It gives Airmen another opportunity to train alongside the aircraft before it becomes part of Kadena’s long-term mission. The visit represents the next phase of the Department of the War’s effort to replace Kadena’s F-15C/D Eagle fleet with F-15EX aircraft. Operating the Eagle II from its future home station allows pilots, maintainers and support personnel to refine tacti…