18th Fighter Wing F-15s to be withdrawn from Kadena

[Le Addeur noir]

The Financial Times claims the F-15s in Okinawa are to be withdrawn. This is behind a paywall, so I will not post a link of it here.

Edit,

A different link,

https://www.businesslend.com/news/us-to ... m-okinawa/

English is obviously not the first language of this publication.

However the narraitve is the 2 3rd Wing F-22As ( 90th and 525th FSs) will deploy to Kadena AB on a six-monthly basis to replace the 2 F-15 squadrons, the 44th and 67th FSs.

[Stratofreighter]

...other media have now also picked up this story:
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/10 ... -fighters/
/
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/u ... ent-report ,

and they indeed cite the Financial Times.

https://www.ft.com/content/271c0c93-eae ... 2a1d0eb3b5

Shift to rotational model criticised as sending wrong message to China

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.

[mirage 69]

480 FS from Spangdahlem is also mentioned to replace the F-15's...