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13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa AB starts F-16 Divestment
Taken on Sep. 2, 2025, the photos in this post show F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet aircraft assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, being divested.
The 13th Fighter Squadron’s former aircraft are being relocated as part of a $10 billion modernization plan to strengthen the US-Japan Alliance.
It is necessary to modernize assets to ensure Misawa Air Base is ready to maintain a credible deterrence force while advancing 35th Fighter Wing capabilities and readiness. The implementation of F-35 Lightning IIs in the place of F-16s provides the Misawa Air Base’s joint ground forces freedom from attack and freedom to maneuver while simultaneously holding the adversary’s most heavily defended targets at risk.
The permanent stationing of newer, more advanced aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning IIs will enhance Misawa Air Base’s operational readiness to defend Japan and ensure a free and open Indo- Pacific. The F-35 has the fifth-generation capabilities needed to achieve unmatched levels of survivability and lethality required to maintain the 35th Fighter Wing’s advantage against new and evolving threats.
The USAF will upgrade its presence at Misawa from 36 F-16 aircraft to 48 F-35A aircraft, leading to greater tactical aircraft capacity and capability.
Misawa AB F-16s at Osan AB
As already reported, on Jun. 26-27, 2025 a new wave of upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons were transferred from Misawa AB to Osan AB as part of the phase II of the Super Squadron Test marking a significant step forward in modernizing the 51st Fighter Wing aircraft and strengthening the US Air Force’s regional combat readiness.
These F-16s received a series of avionics system upgrades, bringing them closer to fifth-generation capabilities. These enhancements improve both survivability and combat effectiveness accuracy of the weapon system.
The migration enhances alignment between US forces in Japan and South Korea, maximizing interoperability for joint operations and tri-lateral training. The move strengthens combined airpower across the Indo-Pacific and improves the US military’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.
At Osan, the upgraded F-16s bring unparalleled multi-role versatility and superior operational range. These capabilities directly support the 51st Fighter Wing’s ability to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
35th Fighter Wing
The 35th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Misawa Air Base — the northernmost US installation in Japan and the only bilateral, joint-service, civilian-use air base in the Pacific. Misawa Air Base is located on the shores of Lake Ogawara in Misawa City in the Aomori Prefecture.
The mission of the 35th Fighter Wing is to “provide worldwide deployable forces, protect US interests in the Pacific and defend Japan with sustained forward presence and focused mission support.”
The wing operates and maintains two squadrons of F-16CM (C and D models) Block 50 Fighting Falcons. The pilots of the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons conduct daily flight training including air-to-air tactics over water and air-to-ground weapons delivery at Draughon Range. The 35th Fighter Wing is the Air Force’s premier Wild Weasel organization and specializes in the suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses including surface-to-air-missile systems.
In addition to daily air combat training, the 35th Fighter Wing holds quarterly operational readiness exercises, which keep Misawa Airmen ready to execute their mission at home or abroad. The wing maintains readiness with participation in Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) sponsored exercise like RED FLAG-Alaska and DISTANT FRONTIER and participates in joint and bilateral exercises such as COPE NORTH and KEEN SWORD to maintain combat readiness of US and allied forces.
Since the 1990s, the 35th Fighter Wing has supported US Operations in Southwest Asia with the regular deployments of Airmen and the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons to combat theaters.
Photo credit: Airman Hannah Bench / U.S. Air Force
