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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Aircraft taxi down a flightline.U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs taxi on the flightline after arriving at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2023. The F-35 is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9G-capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)
                
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F-35s arrive at Kadena AB to maintain advanced fighter presencePublished March 30, 2023
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Juan Torres Chardon
                    
                    
                    18th Wing Public Affairs
            **KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --****F-35A Lightning IIs**from the 355th Fighter Squadron,**Eielson Air Force Base**,Alaska, arrived at **KadenaAir Base**, March 28, to ensure continuous fighter presence through the phased return ofKadena AB’s fleet of **F-15C/D Eagles**to the United States. 
 While deployed to the Keystone of the Pacific, theF-35s will work in conjunction with other fighter units at Kadena AB to ensure continued steady-state fighter capabilities in the region. 
 Together the diverse array of fighters, alongside joint and allied forces strengthen operational readiness to defend Japan while ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific through a robust presence of dynamic fighter aircraft. Jet lands on a runway.A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eilson Air Force Base, Alaska, lands at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2023. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)
            
            
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    Jets fly across the sky.Four U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eilson Air Force Base, Alaska, fly in formation over Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2023. While deployed to the Keystone of the Pacific, the F-35s will work in conjunction with other fighter units at Kadena AB to ensure continued steady-state fighter capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)
            
            
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    Airmen shake hands.U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Shaun Loomis, 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Mickus, 355th EFS commander, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2023. While deployed to the Keystone of the Pacific, the F-35s will work in conjunction with other fighter units at Kadena AB to ensure continued steady-state fighter capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tylir Meyer)
            
            
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“This is the squadron’s first deployment since reaching full operating capability in February of 2023,” said Lt. Col. Michael Mickus, 355th FS commander. “Operating from Kadena offers the Falcon ops and maintenance an important opportunity to hone our skills and processes to execute efficiently and effectively in a sustained deployment environment while working alongside the joint force and our allies.” 
 During the deployment,Mickus said the F-35 squadron plans to rotate personnel and equipment to multiple operating locations in order to support the Theater Joint Force Air Component Commander and the 18th Wing while maintaining readiness for the high-end fight. 
 The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. It is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9-G-capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. 
 This reception of newer, more advanced aircraft atKadena AB ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific. 
 “Training in the Indo-Pacific region is a valuable opportunity for deployed units,” said Col. Henry Schantz, 18th Operations Group commander. “The units bring their own distinct skill sets and experiences from around the globe to hone their skill to address pacing threats while bolstering alliances.” 
 Over the coming weeks, fighters and associated Airmen currently deployed toKadena AB will begin to return to their home stations as new units arrive to take their place. 
 Throughout these deployments, the 18th Wing will continue to comply with applicable bilateral agreements with theGovernment of Japanregarding noise abatement. All visiting aircrews are briefed on local noise abatement procedures and mission planners will continue to give due consideration to limit local impacts. 
 As the 18th Wing continues the phased return ofKadena AB’s fleet of F-15C/Ds, the **Department of Defense**will maintain a steady-state fighter presence in the region by temporarily deploying newer and more advanced aircraft to backfill theaircraft as they retrograde. 
 Modernizing capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater remains a top priority. The transition to more capable aircraft atKadena AB exemplifies the DoD’s continued commitment to enhancing posture while building on the strong foundation of alliance with Japan.

F-35A Lightning IIs from the 355th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2023, to ensure continuous fighter presence through the phased return of Kadena’s fleet of F-15C/D Eagles to the United States.

While deployed to the Keystone of the Pacific, the Lightning IIs will work in conjunction with other fighter units at Kadena Air Base to ensure continued steady-state fighter capabilities in the region.

Together the diverse array of fighters, alongside joint and allied forces strengthen operational readiness to defend Japan while ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific through a robust presence of dynamic fighter aircraft.

“This is the squadron’s first deployment since reaching full operating capability in February of 2023,” said Lt Col Michael Mickus, 355th FS commander. “Operating from Kadena offers the Falcon ops and maintenance an important opportunity to hone our skills and processes to execute efficiently and effectively in a sustained deployment environment while working alongside the joint force and our allies.”

During the deployment, Mickus said the F-35 squadron plans to rotate personnel and equipment to multiple operating locations in order to support the Theater Joint Force Air Component Commander and the 18th Wing while maintaining readiness for the high-end fight.

The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. It is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness.

This reception of newer, more advanced aircraft at Kadena ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to ensure the defense of U.S. allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“Training in the Indo-Pacific region is a valuable opportunity for deployed units,” said Col. Henry Schantz, 18th Operations Group commander. “The units bring their own distinct skill sets and experiences from around the globe to hone their skill to address pacing threats while bolstering alliances.”

Over the coming weeks, fighters and associated Airmen currently deployed to Kadena Air Base will begin to return to their home stations as new units arrive to take their place.

Throughout these deployments, the 18th Wing will continue to comply with applicable bilateral agreements with the Government of Japan regarding noise abatement. All visiting aircrews are briefed on local noise abatement procedures and mission planners will continue to give due consideration to limit local impacts.

As the 18th Wing continues the phased return of Kadena’s fleet of Eagles, the Department of Defense will maintain a steady-state fighter presence in the region by temporarily deploying newer and more advanced aircraft to backfill the F-15s as they retrograde.

Modernizing capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater remains a top priority. The transition to more capable aircraft at Kadena exemplifies the DOD’s continued commitment to enhancing posture while building on the strong foundation of our Alliance with Japan.LR 



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