Overview
- Two U.S. Air Force squadrons, the 90th from Alaska and the 27th from Virginia, are now operating from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.
- Aircrews and maintainers will work with Kadena’s 18th Wing and allied forces to refine tactics and keep units ready for real missions.
- The Air Force says the rotation preserves a continuous, credible fighter presence in the Indo-Pacific and supports the U.S.–Japan defense pact.
- The plan to permanently base 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs on Okinawa is delayed after last year’s Boeing St. Louis strike, and the service has not provided a new timeline.
- The wing says it will follow noise limits under U.S.–Japan agreements, and a local newspaper reported about a dozen Alaska-based F-22s arrived over the weekend.