F-35A deployment in the Pacific

The first Japanese-made F-35A was delivered to Misawa Air Base on 2 November 2017, the jet flown from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Komaki South F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility. Interestingly, even though the aircraft belongs to the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF), it will undergo final

The US Air Force’s first operational overseas deployment of its F-35As has begun at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Twelve Lightning IIs and more than 300 airmen from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill Air Force Base, Utah are to initially operate from Okinawa for six months as a Theatre Security Package (TSP). During their time at Kadena, the F-35s will integrate with the F-15Cs of the resident 18th Wing and other assets. As Lt Col ‘Scout’ Johnston, 34th Fighter Squadron commander said, “The airspace (here) is phenomenal. This allows us to have great training opportunities and integration with other air force assets as well as with the navy and marine corps and hopefully with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.”