Image: U.S. Air Force via DVIDS
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters from Alaska have deployed to Japan, strengthening forward airpower as Washington deepens its focus on Indo-Pacific deterrence.
The 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Kadena Air Base as part of the Air Force’s fighter rotation program, according to the U.S. Air Force. The deployment places fifth-generation aircraft at one of the service’s most strategically important hubs in the western Pacific.
Based at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, the squadron provides combat-ready air dominance capabilities across the region. From Okinawa, its aircraft can rapidly respond to contingencies involving U.S. forces and treaty allies.
“Our mission is to ensure air dominance whenever and wherever we’re called,” said Maj. John Toner, the squadron’s deployed director of operations, according to the Air Force. He said every sortie improves the unit’s ability to deliver combat airpower and support regional stability.
Integration with Joint and Allied Forces
The deployment focuses heavily on interoperability with U.S. and allied forces operating across the Indo-Pacific. The squadron routinely trains with Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, refining operations from dispersed and alternate locations.
These integration efforts reflect evolving U.S. airpower concepts designed to complicate adversary targeting. Operating from multiple airfields allows forces to sustain combat power under contested conditions.
The 356th also participates in large-scale exercises such as Keen Sword, a bilateral U.S.–Japan drill that tests joint planning and combined operations. During these events, U.S. Air Force aircraft fly alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters in coordinated formations.
Airborne command and control assets further enhance these operations. E-3 Sentry aircraft from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron provide battle management support, synchronizing missions across air, land and maritime domains.
“We’re getting on the same sheet of music,” said Capt. Ryan Beveridge, an F-35 pilot with the squadron, according to the Air Force. He said close integration with allies builds trust and strengthens credible deterrence.
Kadena’s Role in Sustained Presence
The 18th Wing at Kadena underpins the deployment, providing logistics, maintenance, and airfield support. Its personnel enable rotating fighter units to arrive and generate sorties with minimal delay.
That infrastructure supports a persistent U.S. presence in the region, a key objective of Pacific Air Forces as regional security dynamics grow more complex.
The F-35A brings advanced capabilities to that posture. Designed for operations in contested environments, the aircraft combines low observability with sensor fusion and electronic warfare systems. These features allow pilots to detect threats earlier and share targeting data across platforms.
“The F-35 gives us an edge that extends beyond the jet itself,” Toner said. He described the aircraft as a force multiplier that links joint and allied forces across the theater.
Arctic Roots, Pacific Reach
The squadron’s home station in Alaska shapes its operational approach. Training near the Arctic Circle exposes pilots and maintainers to extreme weather and austere conditions year-round.
That experience builds adaptability, which the Air Force says translates directly to deployed operations. Alaska’s geographic proximity to the Pacific also allows rapid deployment to Asia when required.
“Deterrence at altitude is built on preparation,” Beveridge said. He added that regular training with partners signals readiness to allies and capability to potential adversaries.
From Alaska’s frozen ranges to Okinawa’s tropical airspace, the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron now anchors U.S. fifth-generation airpower at the edge of the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing alliance commitments and regional deterrence.
Source: U.S. Department of War
