By Staff Sgt. Dwane Young
18 Wing Public Affairs
he F-15EX Eagle II returned to Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 29, 2026, accompanied by two F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, all assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Building on the aircraft’s inaugural visit last year, the deployment gives Airmen another opportunity to train alongside the Air Force’s newest fighter as Kadena prepares for its transition to the F-15EX.
The visit marks the next phase of the Department of War’s effort to replace Kadena’s F-15C/D Eagle fleet with the F-15EX. Operating the Eagle II from its future home station enables pilots, maintainers and mission support personnel to refine the tactics, maintenance procedures and sustainment practices that will support long-term operations across the Indo-Pacific.
“Building familiarity with the aircraft now will help ensure a smooth transition as the Eagle II becomes part of Kadena’s long-term mission and strengthens combat readiness across the Indo-Pacific,” said Lt. Col. Casey Watts, commander of the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
Throughout the visit, Airmen from across the 18th Wing are integrating with the aircraft to strengthen coordination between operations, maintenance and mission support teams. The deployment also provides opportunities to validate maintenance procedures, logistics requirements and combat generation capabilities that will support future F-15EX operations at Kadena.
Equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced survivability, modern electronic warfare systems and increased weapons capacity, the F-15EX will enhance Kadena’s ability to respond to evolving security challenges throughout the Indo-Pacific while giving Airmen valuable experience operating and sustaining the platform before it becomes a permanent part of the wing.
“The F-15EX represents the next chapter of airpower at Kadena,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. “Our Airmen have the opportunity to train with the aircraft, build confidence in its capabilities and ensure we’re ready to project lethality and integrate into operations as we continue providing combat power in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
For the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena’s first operational F-15EX unit, the deployment expands the operational knowledge and technical expertise required to employ the Eagle II. By participating in integration events with the test aircraft, future pilots, maintainers and mission support personnel continue refining the tactics and sustainment practices that will support the squadron once the F-15EX arrives permanently at Kadena.
Each integration event moves the 18th Wing closer to fielding the Eagle II as part of its enduring mission in the Indo-Pacific. By bringing together operators, maintainers and mission support Airmen, the wing is building the expertise, interoperability and combat readiness needed to employ the aircraft effectively from its first day of operational service at Kadena.
