Tokyo, July 16 - In a significant enhancement of U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Air Force has deployed its advanced F-15EX Eagle II fighters to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan, marking their first operational deployment in the region. This strategic move, initiated on July 12, 2025, positions these cutting-edge aircraft at a critical location just 370 miles from Taiwan, amid escalating tensions with China. Kadena, the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan, serves as a pivotal hub for American air power in the Western Pacific, and the arrival of the F-15EX underscores the Pentagon’s commitment to modernizing its forces in response to regional security challenges.
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The F-15EX, an advanced variant of the iconic F-15 platform, represents a leap forward in capability over its predecessors, the F-15C/D models, which Kadena previously hosted. The Air Force plans to replace the older fleet of 48 F-15C/D jets with 36 F-15EX fighters, with permanent basing expected to begin between March and June 2026. Unlike the earlier models, the F-15EX boasts enhanced avionics, increased payload capacity, and the ability to carry a greater number of air-to-air missiles, making it a formidable asset for both air superiority and strike missions. Its deployment to Kadena aligns with broader U.S. efforts to counter China’s growing military assertiveness, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing has intensified its rhetoric and military activities.
The deployment occurred as part of Exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025, with F-15EX jets from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, making a stop at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam before arriving at Kadena. This exercise serves as a platform for integration and familiarization training, allowing aircrews to adapt to the operational environment of the Indo-Pacific. The F-15EX’s participation highlights its role in future Pacific missions, where it is expected to operate alongside other advanced platforms, including F-35s and F-22s, which have been rotated through Kadena as a temporary measure following the retirement of the base’s F-15C/D fleet.
The strategic significance of Kadena cannot be overstated. As the U.S. Air Force transitions to a more modern fighter fleet, the base’s proximity to Taiwan and the South China Sea positions it as a frontline deterrent against potential Chinese aggression. The F-15EX’s advanced radar systems and compatibility with emerging technologies, such as collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), enhance its ability to complicate adversary operations in contested environments. General Kenneth Wilsbach, former head of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, emphasized the jet’s importance in creating a complex battlespace, potentially integrating with unmanned systems to challenge adversaries like China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Despite its advanced capabilities, the F-15EX program has faced challenges, including supply chain issues and delays due to manufacturing defects, such as improperly drilled holes in the jet’s fuselage. A recent Government Accountability Office report noted these setbacks have reduced the planned fleet size, with the Air Force now aiming for 98 aircraft. However, additional funding could restore up to 25 more. These hurdles notwithstanding, deploying the F-15EX to Kadena signals a robust U.S. commitment to maintaining air superiority in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing alliances, and deterring potential threats in a region where strategic competition is intensifying.