US Air Force Deploys Newest Fighters to Pacific Bases in Japan and Korea

September 7, 2026 at 04:00 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The US Air Force is deploying F-15EX Eagle II and F-35A fighters to Kadena and Misawa air bases in Japan, replacing legacy F-15C/D and F-16C/D aircraft. The transition marks the next phase of modernizing US fighter presence in the Pacific. Osan and Kunsan air bases in South Korea continue to host F-16C/D squadrons.

Key Facts

Kadena Air Base in Okinawa is replacing its F-15C/D fighters with F-15EX Eagle IIs, with the new aircraft returning in July 2026.
Misawa Air Base in Japan is transitioning from F-16C/D to F-35A stealth fighters.
Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea host F-16C/D Fighting Falcon squadrons.
MCAS Iwakuni in Japan hosts US Marine Corps F-35Bs and US Navy F-35Cs, F/A-18E Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growlers.
Yokota Air Base serves as headquarters for US Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force but has no permanent fighter squadrons.

Fighter Modernization in Japan

Kadena Air Base, described as 'the hub of airpower in the Pacific', is replacing its legacy F-15C/D fighters with new F-15EX Eagle IIs. In July 2026, the Air Force reported that the F-15EX returned to Kadena, marking the 'next phase' of the replacement effort. Misawa Air Base is transitioning from legacy F-16C/Ds to F-35A stealth fighters. MCAS Iwakuni hosts US Marine Corps F-35Bs and US Navy F-35Cs, F/A-18E Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growlers, forming the only permanently forward-deployed US aircraft carrier air wing. Yokota Air Base, headquarters of US Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, primarily serves as an airlift, command, and special operations base without permanent fighter squadrons.

Fighter Presence in South Korea

Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base are the two bases in South Korea with permanent US Air Force fighter jet squadrons. Both bases host F-16C/D Fighting Falcons rather than newer F-35As or F-15EXs. The US Air Force maintains seven airbases with permanent fighter jets in the Pacific: two in Japan, two in Korea, two in Alaska, and one in Hawaii.