First US advanced fighters arrive for permanent duty at air base in Japan

Key Points:

• A contingent of F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters arrived at Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan, marking the first replacements for the F-16 Fighting Falcons stationed there as part of a planned upgrade to 48 F-35As.
• The deployment is part of a broader U.S. force realignment in Japan, which includes stationing F-15EX Eagles on Okinawa and replacing Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets with F-35Cs at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, representing over $10 billion in investment to enhance regional security.
• The 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa, specializing in Wild Weasel missions to suppress enemy air defenses, has prepared for the new aircraft with the establishment of the 35th Munitions Squadron.
• The F-35A is a multirole stealth fighter with advanced sensors and networking capabilities, designed to operate from conventional runways and support a wide range of missions including air superiority, ground support, and electronic warfare.
• Despite its advanced technology, the F-35 program has faced challenges with aircraft availability, reliability, and maintenance, as highlighted by recent reports from the Government Accounting Office and Congressional Research Service.