EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Airmen from Eglin Air Force Base are once again helping shape the future of the U.S. Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, deploying the F-15EX Eagle II to Japan as part of preparations for its eventual permanent assignment in the Indo-Pacific.
The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron departed Eglin on June 29 with an F-15EX Eagle II and two F-15E Strike Eagles for Kadena Air Base, Japan. The deployment allowed Airmen from Kadena’s 18th Wing to gain hands-on experience with the next-generation fighter while refining maintenance, logistics, and operational procedures before the aircraft officially joins the base’s fleet.
The mission builds on last year’s Resolute Force Pacific deployment and continues the Air Force’s effort to modernize its fighter force in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
“Building familiarity with the aircraft now will help ensure a smooth transition as the Eagle II becomes part of Kadena’s long-term mission and strengthens combat readiness across the Indo-Pacific,” said Lt. Col. Casey Watts, commander of Eglin’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
The deployment included Airmen from Eglin’s 96th Maintenance Group, whose maintainers support both the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron’s F-15 fleet.
During the deployment, maintenance teams worked alongside Kadena personnel to validate maintenance procedures, logistics requirements, and combat generation capabilities needed to support the aircraft once it arrives permanently.
The effort also gave members of Kadena’s 67th Fighter Squadron—expected to become the first operational F-15EX unit at the installation—an opportunity to work directly with Eglin’s experienced test crews.
“The F-15EX represents the next chapter of airpower at Kadena,” said Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing. “Our Airmen have the opportunity to train with the aircraft, build confidence in its capabilities, and ensure we’re ready to project lethality and integrate into operations as we continue providing combat power in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
One of the deployment’s most significant milestones came during Exercise Valiant Shield, when Eglin’s F-15EX flew alongside an MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft over the Philippine Sea.
The mission marked another step forward in Collaborative Combat Aircraft development, which pairs semi-autonomous aircraft with human pilots to expand combat capability. Eglin Air Force Base is already at the forefront of that effort through its work with the XQ-58 Valkyrie program.
“The future of airpower is a partnership between our greatest assets: our skilled warfighters and the technology that empowers them,” said Maj. Daniel Pesich, officer in charge of the Experimental Operations Unit’s collaborative combat aircraft detachment. “By advancing human-machine teaming, we are increasing our power projection while building a more resilient, capable and lethal joint force.”
Testing of the F-15EX continues at Eglin through the combined efforts of the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron as the Air Force prepares to field the aircraft across operational units in the coming years.
