--- title: "Kadena Air Base gets is first permanent F-15EXs" description: "The Air Force’s plan to replace aging F-15s at the base in Japan started four years ago. The first new fighter jet arrived this weekend." date: "2026-11-15" modified: "2026-11-15" authors: - name: "Nicholas Slayton" job_title: "Contributing Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/nicholas-slayton.md" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/f15ex-arrive-kadena-air-force/" categories: - "Air Force" - "Aircraft" - "Around the World" - "Fighter Aircraft" - "Japan" - "Military Branches" - "News" - "Tech & Tactics" --- # Kadena Air Base gets is first permanent F-15EXs ![U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Edzair Quintero, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, marshals one of Kadena's first permanently assigned F-15EX Eagle II aircraft following its arrival Nov. 15, 2026. The milestone reflects years of preparation by the 18th Wing's operators and maintainers to integrate the advanced fighter into Kadena's mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack)]() *An aircraft maintenance crew chief guides an F-15EX fighter jet after it arrived at Kadena Air Base on Nov. 15, 2026. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack.* Four years after the Air Force [began plans to phase out aging F-15C and F-15D fighter jets]() at Kadena Air Base, the first permanently stationed F-15EX Eagle II has arrived in Japan. On Sunday, the 18th Wing said that the first F-15EX, with new electronic warfare systems, was delivered to the base. Kadena is the first overseas U.S. base to get the fighter jet. The new fighter jets are operated by the 67th Fighter Squadron. Crews trained and qualified on the F-15EXs in the United States ahead of the fighters’ arrival. “Getting the F-15EX to Kadena is just the beginning,” Lt. Col. Ajay Dua, 67th Fighter Squadron commander, said in the Air Force’s [announcement](). “Now our focus shifts to integrating the aircraft into our flying operations, building experience as a squadron, and learning how to get the most out of its capabilities. It's an exciting time to be part of the 67th Fighter Squadron.” Kadena had been home to dozens of permanently stationed fighter jets, and its fleet makes up a large portion of fighters deployed to Japan. But the F-15s stationed there were aging airframes, and the Air Force wants to modernize its forces in the country. In that four-year period since the [replacement plan started](), the Air Force has rotated in several other fighter units to Kadena on temporary deployments, to maintain air power in the region. Those have ranged from F-15s to F-22s and F-35s. Even though the first of the new F-15EXs are beginning to arrive, those temporary deployments continue. A contingent of F-15s from the 122nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived in late October, according to [Air & Space Forces Magazine](). Alongside modern electronic warfare systems, the new aircraft also feature expanded weapons capacity and improved avionics, which the Air Force says improves its ability to carry out counterair operations. The Air Force plans to permanently station 36 F-15EXs at Kadena Air Base, to be flown by the 67th and 44th Fighter Squadrons. “The arrival of the F-15EX at Kadena marks a significant milestone for American airpower in the Pacific,” Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, said in the Air Force announcement. “These aircraft strengthen our ability to deter aggression, respond to emerging threats, and defend Japan alongside our allies and partners. Their permanent presence at Kadena reinforces our commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and ensures we continue to bring advanced combat capabilities to one of the most strategically important regions in the world.” ## Author Nicholas Slayton is a contributing editor for Task & Purpose, covering conflict for over 12 years, from the Arab Spring to the war in Ukraine. His previous reporting can be found on the non-profit Aslan Media, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, The New Republic, The American Prospect, Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, and the Los Angeles Downtown News. You can reach him at nicholas@taskandpurpose.com or find him on Twitter @NSlayton and Bluesky at @nslayton.bsky.social. ### Author social links [Twitter]() ## More - [F-15EX, F-35s heading to Japan as part of new Air Force plan]() - [The Air Force plans to replace its F-15 force in Japan with more modern fighter jets]() - [Air Force test fires its latest missile configuration for the new F-15EX]() - [US F-15 Fighter Jet Crashes Off Coast Of Japan]() - [Here’s your first look at the Air Force’s first F-15 in more than 15 years]() - [Watch the Air Force’s first new F-15 in nearly 20 years make its maiden flight with a ‘Viking’ takeoff]() - [The Air Force is officially picking up its first new F-15 in nearly 20 years]() - [Watch the world’s most advanced F-15 make its maiden flight with a ‘Viking’ takeoff]()