Members of the USAF's 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit gathered around the ‘last' Boeing F-15C Eagle at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on 6 December 2024, according to the air force. (USAF/Senior Airman Alexis Redin)
The US Air Force (USAF) is withdrawing its last Boeing F-15C Eagle from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
The USAF published a photograph of personnel from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit gathered around what was described as the “last [F-15C] Eagle” at Kadena Air Base on 6 December. However, it is unclear when the aircraft will leave Kadena or if it has already departed the airbase. A USAF 18th Wing spokesperson told Janes on 23 December that “due to operational security”, the wing “will not disclose the specific timelines for aircraft movements or the exact number of aircraft”.
The withdrawal of the F-15C/D fleet from Kadena, which was first announced in October 2022, will allow the USAF to deploy more modern assets on the island. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has said the departure of the F-15C is in line with the “large-scale divestment plan to modernise the base's capabilities to better deliver” combat air power at the forward-staging base.
Janes has previously reported that 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs will replace the F-15C/Ds as part of the US DoD's updated force posture plan.
According to the 18th Wing spokesperson, the F-15EX is due to arrive at Kadena in 2025–26. Citing a statement by Brigadier General Nicholas Evans, commander, 18th Wing, the spokesperson said the timeline of delivery “is being worked between Boeing and headquarters air force” and added that the first F-15EX is expected to be delivered to Kadena in the next 12 to 16 months.
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