Two F-15EXs of the eighty fifth Take a look at and Analysis Squadron are conducting integration and familiarization coaching with native models forward of the supply of the jet in 2026.
The U.S. Air Power has introduced that two F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on July 12, 2025. The plane belong to the eighty fifth Take a look at and Analysis Squadron primarily based at Eglin Air Power Base, and had been accompanied by an F-15E Strike Eagle and an F-16C Preventing Falcon of the identical unit.
In a press launch, the 18th Wing mentioned the purpose of this short-term go to is to conduct integration and familiarization coaching with native models, getting ready Kadena’s personnel for the arrival and future sustainment of the F-15EX in Spring 2026. The go to has additionally been outlined “a key milestone within the Division of Protection’s ongoing effort to modernize U.S. airpower within the area and deter towards evolving threats.”
どっちランウェイに降りるかてんやわんや、おまけにローアプローチまでやって振り回されました…これからのフライトに期待です。53rd WNG eighty fifth TES “Flying Skulls” F-16C OT 98-0005, F-15E 88-1681, F-15EX 20-0004, 20-0005Kadena Air Base 20250712 pic.twitter.com/aNs6wN2Dgi
— いらぶちゃー (@okadna35) July 13, 2025
“Bringing the F-15EX right here offers our pilots and maintainers the possibility to coach within the surroundings the place they’ll function it day by day,” mentioned U.S. Air Power Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, the outgoing 18th Wing commander who has been succeeded on Jul. 14 by Brig. Gen. John Gallemore. “This go to ensures we will seamlessly combine the plane into our mission units and preserve the airpower benefits wanted on this area.”
R5Ⅱの嘉手納デビューがこれでした。Jul.12,2025 Kadena Air Base DNA/RODNUSAF 53WG 85TES “Flying Skulls” F-15E/[SJ]Seymour Johnson AFB pic.twitter.com/GCiCLDePZz
— ASCOT (@ascot110) July 12, 2025
Earlier than arriving at Kadena, the 4 plane stopped at Andersen AFB, Guam, on July 11. The captions of the photographs launched on the DVIDS community point out that the jets have been deployed to the Pacific to take part in train Resolute Power Pacific 2025.
#FEUD21 flight departed from Honolulu airport #PHNL to Andersen AFB #PGUA, July tenth 2025. They had been 2 F-15EX (20-0004/OT and 20-0005/OT), F-15E (88-1681/OT) and F-16C (97-0106/OT) from the eighty fifth TES “FLYING SKULLS” out of Eglin AFB #KVPS and they’re enroute to Kadena airbase… pic.twitter.com/fyZZjcy6WW
— Coronet_deployments 🇳🇱 🇺🇸 (@CoronetEast) July 13, 2025
The F-15EX at Kadena
Kadena Air Base, residence of the 18th Wing’s forty fourth and 67th Fighter Squadrons, most not too long ago flew in an air superiority position with the F-15C/D Eagle. The unit performed the ultimate operational flight of the F-15C Eagle on Jan. 24, 2025, after 45 years of flight operations at the Japanese base.
On July 3, 2024, the U.S. Division of Protection introduced a “modernization plan” with the purpose of deterring Chinese language aggression within the area and strengthening forces in Japan. As a part of the plan, it was introduced that the bottom would change its 48 Eagles with 36 F-15EX Eagle II jets.
Jul.12,2025 Kadena Air Base DNA/RODNUSAF 53WG 85TES “Flying Skulls” F-15E/20-0005[OT]Seymour Johnson AFB pic.twitter.com/OwbHXTqn9z
— ASCOT (@ascot110) July 12, 2025
Remarkably, the announcement marked the primary dedication of the brand new F-15EX Eagle II, essentially the most superior Eagle variant ever produced, to a base outdoors america. On the time, no definitive timeline for the arrival of the primary F-15EXs on the base was given, however it was later revealed that the supply is predicted between March and June 2026.
The brand new plane required a shift within the organizational construction of the 18th Wing. The 67th FGS (Fighter Technology Squadron) was in actual fact activated to help the eventual arrival of the F-15EX, whereas the 18th AMXS (Plane Upkeep Squadron) was deactivated.
Not less than one among Kadena’s final F-15Cs is being transformed right into a upkeep coaching plane for weapons loaders and maintainers, profiting from the massive commonality between the F-15EX and the F-15C. Additionally, some crews with the 67th FGS have been despatched to the Portland ANG to coach with their new F-15EXs.
Maintainers from @KadenaAirBase are rotating into Portland Air Nationwide Guard Base this 12 months to finish 60 days of F-15 proficiency coaching in addition to some coaching on the F-15EX. This coaching is effective for these Airmen as Kadena is ready to obtain their very own F-15EXs in 2026. pic.twitter.com/fLx2LWRV5j
— 142nd Wing (@142ndWG) Could 22, 2025
The F-15EX Eagle II
The brand new F-15EX Eagle II, derived from the superior F-15QA, has emerged in response to the evolving threats highlighted by the Nationwide Protection Technique, specializing in countering challenges from China and Russia. Whereas the F-15EX shares many similarities with the F-15QA, it incorporates unique U.S.-specific options, such because the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Lively Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) and the Open Mission Methods (OMS) structure, enhancing its digital warfare and surveillance capabilities.
Initially the F-15C/D fleet was to be completely changed by the F-22A Raptor, the primary Fifth gen fighter plane of the U.S. Air Power. The service deliberate to purchase 750 Raptors to interchange each the F-15 Eagle and the F-16 Preventing Falcon, however that quantity was minimize to 187 manufacturing plane, which can be lower than the about 230 F-15C/D nonetheless in service. Due to this, the operational lifetime of the Eagle needed to be prolonged because it was initially scheduled to be retired in 2019.
When the F-15X program, often known as Superior F-15, was first launched, each a single and two seat variants had been proposed, referred to as F-15CX and F-15EX respectively, and each with the identical actual capabilities. The Air Power finally determined to go solely with the 2 seats variant, which can reportedly have the choice to fly with a single pilot or each pilot and Weapons Methods Officer (WSO).
In 2023, the F-15EX accomplished Part I of its Built-in Take a look at & Analysis (IT&E), throughout which it participated in 19 Giant Power Train occasions alongside Fifth-generation plane, recorded the longest air-to-air missile employment, and validated using the longest non-nuclear air-to-ground munition within the Air Power’s stock.
The brand new F-15EX Eagle II has reached the Preliminary Operational Functionality (IOC) with the U.S. Air Power, a milestone introduced by Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the Air Fight Command’s chief, on Jul. 10, 2024, whereas delivering remarks on a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Research, shortly after the 142nd Wing at Portland Air Nationwide Guard Base obtained its first F-15EX Eagle II.
As reported on the time, the supply of the primary Eagle II to the Oregon ANG represents the primary time a brand new weapon system is delivered to the Air Nationwide Guard earlier than serving within the Air Power. To this point, six F-15EXs have been delivered to Eglin Air Power Base, Florida, the place they’re supporting developmental and operational checks on the brand new plane, whereas Portland obtained the primary two operational examples, finishing the supply of Lot 1B which introduced the whole plane in service to eight.
The Air Power initially deliberate to amass as much as 144 F-15EX plane, nonetheless the quantity decreased to 104 in 2023. Early in 2024, the quantity was lowered much more, with the FY 2025 price range request mentioning the Air Power will purchase the final plane in 2025 after which finish manufacturing, capping the fleet at 98 plane.
The FY25 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act deliberate to revert additionally this resolution, with the Home Armed Companies Committee authorizing $ 271 million in superior procurement spending for twenty-four extra plane to be added to the FY2026 price range, bringing the F-15EX fleet to 122 airframes.
Nevertheless, the not too long ago launched FY2026 price range included $3.1 billion to obtain solely 21 F-15EX, for a complete of 119 airframes. The Air Power later said that the “at present deliberate whole for F-15EX is 129 plane,” though it’s unclear the place the ten lacking jets come from.
