The dark night of April 15 at Misawa Air Base witnessed the arrival of U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancer bombers, marking the first deployment of these bombers to Japan as part of Bomber Task Force 25-2. The presence of this type of aircraft on Japanese soil aims to send a strong message of deterrence to potential regional adversaries such as China and North Korea, while also reinforcing interoperability and cooperation with key U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Since its initial introduction in 2018, the Bomber Task Force concept is part of the dynamic employment of U.S. Armed Forces assets around the globe. In addition to the intended message of deterrence, these types of operations—now taking place in both Europe and various points across the Indo-Pacific—aim to prepare personnel and crews to be ready for deployments that may follow predictable schedules, as well as unpredictable ones aligned with the needs and support of key allies and partners in other regions.
Recent examples include the deployment of B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to the United Kingdom, where they operate forward from RAF Fairford after being deployed from the U.S. mainland; or, if needed, can be repositioned to the Pacific to arrive and operate from Andersen Air Base in Guam.
Nonetheless, beyond the routine nature of Bomber Task Force missions, the arrival at Misawa Air Base—located in the north of Honshu Island, 425 miles from Tokyo—comes at a time when the United States is bolstering its military presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Among several developments, it’s worth noting the deployment of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its Strike Group to the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command, aimed at reinforcing ongoing operations against Houthi targets in Yemen, currently led by the USS Harry S. Truman.
Additionally, regarding the U.S. Air Force, more A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft have been confirmed for deployment to the Middle East. Notably, in a message of deterrence to Iran, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were reportedly deployed—without prior public announcement—to Diego Garcia Island, and according to reports, have also been conducting strikes against Houthi rebels.
As for the B-1B bombers in Japan, they belong to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and departed days ago from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, arriving in Misawa on April 15 with the mission of “…supporting Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with Allies, partners, and joint forces, as well as strategic deterrence missions to reinforce regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
According to the USAF, these “…deployments continue the enduring security cooperation with Japan and support our combined capability to quickly and decisively respond to any challenge presented in the Indo-Pacific.”
Additionally, before their arrival in Japan, the deployment included a series of combined activities with the Republic of Korea Air Force, which escorted the bombers with its F-16K and F-35 fighters. These were also accompanied by USAF F-16s currently deployed in the peninsula.
“BTF 25-2 showcases the U.S. commitment to deterring threats and maintaining regional stability,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Travelstead, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron director of operations. “These missions in the Indo-Pacific ensure our B-1 crews are highly trained and ready to respond anytime, anywhere, to defend U.S. interests and support our allies, securing a stable Indo-Pacific—where all nations operate freely under a rules-based order while promoting global peace and prosperity.”
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