In this article:
Japan’s F-15s Touch Down in Europe
Japan’s F-15s Touch Down at RAF Coningsby.
As part of Atlantic Eagles Deployment, Japan’s F-15s have landed in Europe for the first time joined by KC-767, KC-46A, and C-2 aircraft.
Before arriving in the UK, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) units have conducted unit-level exchanges with Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 444SQ.
The JASDF said on its Facebook Page;
‘You are the witness of this historic moment! #JASDF #F15 have arrived in Europe at RAF Coningsby for the first time in our 71 years history. We appreciate all the efforts that have supported us up to date.’
Atlantic Eagles sees approximately 180 personnel and eight aircraft operate across four allied nations in North America and Europe through Oct. 1.
Atlantic Eagles Deployment
According to a Japanese Air Staff Office press release, the 18-day deployment, that kicked off on Sep. 14, represents a significant expansion of Japan’s defense cooperation beyond its traditional Indo-Pacific focus, explicitly recognizing that “the security of the Euro-Atlantic and of the Indo-Pacific are interconnected.”
According to Alert 5 a mixed force of combat and support aircraft from multiple JASDF wings is included in the Atlantic Eagles deployment. One KC-767 tanker from the 1st Tactical Airlift Wing at Komaki supports four F-15 fighters from the 2nd Air Wing at Chitose Air Base that form the combat element of the deployment. One C-2 aircraft from the 2nd Tactical Airlift Group at Iruma provides transport capabilities while the 3rd Tactical Airlift Wing at Miho, which contributes both a C-2 transport aircraft and a KC-46A tanker provides additional support.
Giving that Atlantic Eagles will visit military installations across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany combining multiple aircraft types and wings in a single operation spanning three weeks and four nations, this deployment represents one of JASDF’s most comprehensive overseas missions.
Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska was the first destination, providing a strategic entry point for trans-Pacific operations. Eielson is a familiar operating environment for JASDF personnel: in fact, Japan has previous experience deploying F-15 and F-2 fighters to Eielson for Exercise Red Flag Alaska. The mission continued with a visit to CFB Goose Bay in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that offered Arctic training opportunities and representing JASDF’s engagement with Canadian forces.
RAF Coningsby and RAF Brize Norton in the United Kingdom, which enable comprehensive engagement with Royal Air Force operations, are the first stops of the European portion of the deployment. The friendly visit will conclude at Laage Air Base in Germany, completing the trans-Atlantic circuit.
Strengthening relationship between RAF and JASDF
JASDF’s expeditionary capabilities and commitment to international defense cooperation beyond its traditional Indo-Pacific operating area are showcased in this mission. The inclusion of both legacy platforms like the F-15 and newer systems such as the KC-46A demonstrates the service’s current force structure during its modernization period.
The F-15 fighter jet, the commanding fighter built for the US Air Force, was developed by Boeing (former McDonnell Douglas) with its first flight in 1972.
In Japan, it was adopted by the JASDF as the main fighter aircraft to complement the air defense capability following the retirement of the F-104 fighter plane. It is a supersonic, all-weather air superiority fighter based on the F-15C Eagle, with some modifications made such as radar warning. It is manufactured under license as the F-15J, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. as the primary contractor. The first F-15J was delivered to JASDF in 1981.
As already reported, UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen acknowledged the strengthening relationship between the Royal Air Force (RAF) and JASDF, as demonstrated by their joint efforts during Operation HIGHMAST and interoperability efforts in preparation for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Recognising the significance of the GCAP, the Ministers reaffirmed their personal commitment to it and to accelerating work to conclude the first international contract between the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and industry joint venture, Edgewing, by the end of 2025. This will be the first contract to set both entities to work together to support capable, affordable and timely programme delivery by 2035.
Photo credit: Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Crown Copyright / Royal Air Force
