F-15EX Eagle II Touches Down at Kadena Air Base for Training Visit

The F-15EX Eagle II, Boeing's advanced version of the F-15 fighter jet, has made its second training visit to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. This marks a significant step towards permanently stationing a squadron at the base, which is strategically located near Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.

The current deployment is a short-term training and familiarization exercise, allowing crews and maintainers to experience the Kadena environment with the new jet. However, as Brig Gen John Gallemore, Commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, noted, 'The F-15EX represents the next chapter of airpower at Kadena.'

The F-15EX is designed to replace the aging F-15C/D Eagles, which began phasing out in late 2022. The new jet boasts advanced radar and fly-by-wire controls, as well as the ability to carry twelve AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles simultaneously.

The permanent deployment of the F-15EX to Kadena has been delayed due to production issues caused by a 2025 Boeing machinists' strike. However, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told the Senate in May that the first permanently based Eagle IIs are expected at Kadena sometime in 2027.