US sends F-15E Strike Eagle fighters to Japan to replace F-22 Raptor and F-16CM Fighting Falcon

The US Air Force last year began retiring fourth-generation F-15 Eagle fighters that were stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa, where Kadena Base is located. As part of the temporary replacement effort, the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft went to Japan.

Here's What We Know

The US Air Force is still undecided on a replacement for the F-15s. For starters, the US has sent fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighters to Japan, which were based in Alaska. The F-35A Lightning II has recently arrived in Okinawa. The deployment of Valkyrie drones at the base is also being considered.

The US military leadership has decided to send home F-22 Raptor and F-16CM Fighting Falcon fighters (pictured below). To keep the F-35A Lightning II planes busy, the US Air Force is redeploying fourth-generation F-15E Strike Eagle fighters assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, based at Seymour Johnson, North Carolina, to Japan.

F-15Es arrived at Cadena Base on 10 April 2023. On the same day, the F-22 Raptor of the 525th Fighter Squadron departed for Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The F-16CMs of the 480th Fighter Wing will return to Spangdalem Base in Germany.

Source: Space & Air Forces Magazine