The first permanently stationed U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle IIs assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
The first two U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighters jets permanently stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, arrived at their new home on Nov. 15, 2026. The two aircraft are assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron, part of the 18th Fighter Wing.
The F-15s departed from Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, where they arrived in late August for additional preparations. Flying with the FEUD 41 and FEUD 42 callsigns and supported by two KC-135 tankers with callsigns PETRO 01 and PETRO 02, the two fighters first flew to Honolulu, Hawaii, before the last leg that took them to Kadena.
The first two 18WG F-15EX Eagles departed from Honolulu #PHNL to Kadena airbase as FEUD 41 flight, November 14th 2026. Supporting #ALTRV Coronet West 421 are PETRO 01 (61-0294) and PETRO 02 (59-1455). Their flightplan shows them arriving at Kadena #RODN at 1010AM local JST #CW421 https://t.co/Q985ajdtiU
— Coronet_West (@Coronet_West) November 14, 2026
Notably, Kadena is the first overseas Air Force installation to receive combat-coded F-15EX aircraft and the second Air Force location to field the fighter, following the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing at Portland ANGB. The service described the arrival as a major milestone in the 18th Wing’s fighter modernization and the continued strengthening of U.S. airpower in the Pacific region.
“The arrival of the F-15EX at Kadena marks a significant milestone for American airpower in the Pacific,” said Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. “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.”
The service further added that the arrival of the first permanently stationed F-15EXs comes as the 18th Wing prepares to celebrate its centennial in 2027, marking 100 years since its activation as the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, on January 21, 1927.
The F-15EX at Kadena
Kadena Air Base, home of the 18th Wing’s 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons, most recently flew in an air superiority role with the F-15C/D Eagle. The unit conducted the final operational flight of the F-15C Eagle on Jan. 24, 2025, after 45 years of flight operations at the Japanese base.
On July 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a “modernization plan” with the goal of deterring Chinese aggression in the region and strengthening forces in Japan. As part of the plan, it was announced that the base would replace its 48 Eagles with 36 F-15EX Eagle II jets.
The arrival of the first Eagle IIs at Kadena was initially expected in Spring 2026. Recently, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said that the first F-15EXs would arrive in Japan in 2027, with a full complement delivered by 2028. While the aircraft now arrived before the end of 2026, it is worth noting that Fiscal Year 2027 already started on Oct. 1.
During the transition, crews from the 67th FS traveled to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and Portland ANGB to maintain flying proficiency and complete aircraft qualification training in preparation for the aircraft’s arrival. Additionally, in both 2025 and 2026, F-15EXs conducted familiarization visits to Kadena, allowing integration and familiarization training with local units ahead of the first deliveries.
“Getting the F-15EX to Kadena is just the beginning,” said Lt. Col. Ajay Dua, 67th Fighter Squadron commander. “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.”
Similarly to pilots, maintenance personnel from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron coordinated with Boeing and Air Force teams at Eglin and Portland to develop and maintain technical proficiency. They additionally supported F-15E operations at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and Mountain Home Air force Base, Idaho, gaining valuable experience while supporting the broader fighter enterprise, says the service.
“The arrival of the F-15EX represents years of hard work and dedication from our maintainers,” said Maj. Spencer A. Sherman, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “The team has been working with Boeing and our partners at Eglin and Portland to learn and prepare for this new platform. They have also sought every opportunity to keep their skills sharp, even stepping in to support F-15E operations at Seymour-Johnson and Mountain Home.
The F-15EX Eagle II
The new F-15EX Eagle II, derived from the advanced F-15QA, has emerged in response to the evolving threats highlighted by the National Defense Strategy, focusing on countering challenges from China and Russia. While the F-15EX shares many similarities with the F-15QA, it incorporates exclusive U.S.-specific features, such as the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) and the Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture, enhancing its electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities.
When the F-15X program, also known as Advanced F-15, was first launched, both a single and two seat variants were proposed, called F-15CX and F-15EX respectively, and both with the same exact capabilities. The Air Force ultimately decided to go only with the two seats variant, which will reportedly have the option to fly with a single pilot or both pilot and Weapons Systems Officer (WSO).
In 2023, the F-15EX completed Phase I of its Integrated Test & Evaluation (IT&E), during which it participated in 19 Large Force Exercise events alongside 5th-generation aircraft, recorded the longest air-to-air missile employment, and validated the use of the longest non-nuclear air-to-ground munition in the Air Force’s inventory.
The new F-15EX Eagle II has reached the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the U.S. Air Force on Jul. 10, 2024, shortly after the 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base received its first F-15EX Eagle II.
