Posted on 10/27/2022 8:33:53 PM PDT by Zhang Fei
The US air force plans to replace its entire fleet of F-15 fighter jets based in Okinawa, Japan, with a “rotational” force, a shift that some American and Japanese officials worry will send a dangerous signal to China about deterrence.
The air force intends to retire two squadrons of ageing F-15 Eagles that have been permanently based in Okinawa, according to six people familiar with the situation. The decision has triggered alarm in some parts of the Japanese government and the Pentagon because the air force does not intend to replace them with a permanent presence in the near term.
The move will involve half of the roughly 100 air force fighters in Japan and is part of a modernisation programme. Critics are concerned about possible gaps that could weaken the ability to deter China.
“The message to China is the US is not serious about reversing the decline in its military forces,” said David Deptula, a retired F-15 pilot and former vice-commander of US Pacific Air Forces who blamed years of under-investment for a lack of aircraft. “This will encourage the Chinese to take more dramatic action.”
The air force plans to send fifth-generation F-22 fighters from Alaska to Okinawa’s Kadena, a critical air base in the region, for a six-month rotation after the F-15s’ departure from the base next year. But several people said the force had not worked out future rotations, which raised concerns about possible gaps.
The air force said it could not discuss the plan for security reasons, but Ann Stefanek, the air force’s spokesperson, said it would “continue to maintain readiness in support of our US-Japan alliance”.
US Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees US forces in Asia, did not comment. Japan’s defence and foreign ministries did not comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
The sellout of Taiwan and Japan is starting...
Take that, China!!!!
They will be moved to the US to take on 2nd Amendment supporters, just like Joe Biden said.
Joe said he has F-15s and nukes. That’s how he wants to deal with the deplorables.
ok. that’s just stupid.
Oh great
I was stationed there during Nam
We need a continual strong ‘permanent presence’ there ...
Ran like cowards from Ashcanistan and now running like rabbits from a reliable friend in the Pacific rim.
But they wont run from THE Ukraine will they?
It's not just the number of pilots, it's all the support staff behind them as well.
More brilliant strategic thinking from the latest commie democrat administration.
Too busy getting felons, fatties and feminists into the military now.
My bet—they are being transferred to Poland or Romania.
We’re updating the whole F15 fleet with the new F15EX. They started taking delivery of them in January.
If I read the article correctly, they are planning to update to the F-15EX, but only in a limited number. To fight of the modern Chinese forces, we are going to need numbers. Stalin might not be a great military intellect, but he was right when he said “quantity IS a type of quality.”
If I read the article correctly, they are planning to update to the F-15EX, but only in a limited number. To fight of the modern Chinese forces, we are going to need numbers. Stalin might not be a great military intellect, but he was right when he said “quantity IS a type of quality.”
We’ll need to commit more funding for our forces in the Pacific.
Be careful. what if the F35 fleet is let behind?
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