The United States Air Force (USAF) maintains F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters deployed in Japan as part of its rotational presence scheme in the Indo-Pacific, consolidating an advanced air capability aimed at deterrence and the defense of allied interests in the region.
The deployment is led by the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS), a unit from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, operating from Kadena Air Base under the USAF fighter rotation program. The squadron’s primary mission is to ensure air superiority and maintain a high level of operational readiness in the face of potential contingencies.
“Our mission is to ensure air dominance whenever and wherever we are called,” said Major John Toner, the 356th EFS deployed director of operations. “Every training event and every sortie strengthens our ability to deliver combat airpower and ensure stability across the Pacific.”
Operational integration and joint exercises
The 356th EFS conducts regular training alongside F-35B Lightning II aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, with the aim of refining the generation of airpower from alternative locations. The unit also takes part in large-scale exercises such as Keen Sword, focused on reinforcing interoperability and coordination between the United States and Japan.
These activities are complemented by integration with E-3 Sentry aircraft from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, which provide command and control capabilities, enabling the synchronization of joint operations across the air, maritime, and land domains. Within this framework, assets from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also participate, strengthening bilateral coordination.
“We’re on the same page and operating at a common level,” said Captain Ryan Beveridge, a pilot with the 356th EFS. “The integration with our allies here has been invaluable. That kind of trust and understanding is what makes deterrence real.”
F-35A capabilities and logistical support
The F-35A is a fifth-generation fighter designed to operate in highly contested environments. Its features include a stealth profile, advanced sensor fusion, and electronic warfare systems, which provide enhanced situational awareness and effective integration with other platforms.
“The F-35 gives us an advantage that extends beyond the aircraft itself,” Toner explained. “It is a force multiplier that links our forces, amplifying deterrence across the entire theater of operations.” The deployment of the 356th EFS is supported by personnel from the 18th Wing at Kadena, responsible for ensuring the infrastructure and support necessary for rotational units to operate rapidly and continuously in the region.
Regional context and increased military activity
The deployment of F-35A aircraft in Japan takes place amid a context of growing military activity in the Indo-Pacific. On December 30, China intensified the Justice Mission 2025 exercise, deploying People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces around the island of Taiwan. The maneuvers included coordinated participation by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force, with air and naval operations along multiple axes.
During these activities, the PLA confirmed live-fire exercises, air and missile defense operations, anti-ship strikes, and simulations of maritime blockades. In parallel, official media reported amphibious drills led by the Type 075 assault ship Hainan, as well as missile launches in designated maritime areas.
This is compounded by the recent test of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, launched from a Type 055 destroyer of the Chinese Navy. The firing was disseminated by China Military Bugle, the official account of the PLA Media Center, and represents the first public confirmation of a live launch of this system from a warship.
U.S. strategic adjustments in the Indo-Pacific
Alongside the reinforcement of air capabilities, the United States is advancing logistical initiatives focused on the Indo-Pacific. The recent enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act authorizes a pilot program for leasing amphibious aircraft operated by contractors to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The program, with a planned duration of three years, seeks to expand deployment and logistical support capabilities, although the platforms and number of aircraft involved have not yet been detailed.
Sustained presence and regional deterrence
From its permanent base in Alaska to its deployment in Okinawa, the 356th EFS maintains a continuous level of training under demanding conditions, facilitating its rapid projection within the Pacific theater. The presence of F-35A aircraft in Japan thus integrates into a broader U.S. strategy aimed at sustaining deterrence, interoperability with allies, and the ability to respond to highly complex scenarios in the Indo-Pacific.
*Images obtained from U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson.
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