Japan has refuelled its fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets with the F135 engine running outside the country for the first time in its history

Japan's Air Self-Defence Force has celebrated an important milestone. The military service performed the first "hot" refuelling of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet outside the country.

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Last months, Japanese specialists were able to refuel the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets with the F135 engines on. This happened on 28 August 2023 at the US Air Force base Andersen on the island of Guam.

The event was reported the day before by the 36th Wing. Its spokesman said that refuelling with the engine running makes it possible to increase the number of sorties, reducing the turnaround time by 45 minutes.

Japan's fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets participated in operations outside the country for the first time in their history. In addition to the island of Guam, they visited the Royal Australian Air Force's Tindal and Darwin bases. Four aircraft travelled to Australia from Misawa base. A C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, a KC-767 aerial refuelling tanker and two C-2 Greyhound cargo planes took part in the exercise.

Source: Stars & Stripes