The first U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighter designated for permanent stationing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, has departed Boeing’s St. Louis facility. Carrying Kadena’s “ZZ” tail code, aircraft EX-22 flew to Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, for final updates and preparation before its transpacific journey. This movement marks the beginning of the formal delivery process for the permanent recapitalization of the 18th Wing’s fighter force in Okinawa.
Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing, described the aircraft’s movement to Portland as an important step toward bringing the F-15EX to Kadena and establishing the new fighter capability at the base.
The arrival of the F-15EX will make a transition from temporary rotational deployments toward a permanently assigned combat force. The Air Force plans to station 36 Eagle II fighters at Kadena, replacing the legacy F-15C/D Eagle fleet retired in recent years.
Let’s take a closer look into this development.
Source: Defense Updates
