F-22 Raptors Deploy to Kadena Amid Delay of F-15EX Arrival
Two F-22 squadrons rotated to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa while the planned permanent F-15EX deployment has been pushed to 2027.
Because the scheduled permanent stationing of F-15EX Eagle II fighters at Kadena Air Base has slipped to 2027, the Air Force has temporarily filled the gap with two F-22 Raptor squadrons. The 90th Fighter Squadron from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the 27th Fighter Squadron from Joint Base Langley-Eustis arrived in May and joined the 18th Wing’s operations. While in Okinawa, the Raptors participated in the multinational Valiant Shield 2026 exercise and the ongoing Beverly Beach 26-1 combat-readiness drills, integrating with local maintenance and security units.
The delay stems from production setbacks at Boeing, pushing full deployment of all 36 F-15EX aircraft to late 2028 or early 2029. Kadena, located about 1,200 miles west of Guam and within 900 miles of Tokyo, Manila, Seoul and Hong Kong, remains a pivotal forward base for U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Why it matters
The shift shows how the U.S. adapts its Pacific force posture amid fighter-jet procurement delays.
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