An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hill Airmen set for F-35 deployment to Japan

  • Published
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  About 100 Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will join their active duty counterparts in the 388th Fighter Wing for the first F-35A operational deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region next month.

In total, approximately 300 Airmen will deploy for a six-month rotation to Kadena Air Base, Japan. The aircraft and supporting personnel are scheduled to arrive in early November.

The deployment builds upon the U.S. Air Force fifth-generation stealth fighter’s successful debut at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition earlier this month.

“The F-35A gives the joint warfighter unprecedented global precision attack capability against current and emerging threats while complementing our air superiority fleet,” said Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. “The airframe is ideally suited to meet our command’s obligations, and we look forward to integrating it into our training and operations.”

The F-35A is being deployed under U.S. PACOM’s theater security package program, which has been in operation since 2004. Through the TSP program, Air Combat Command routinely deploys aircraft to the region in support of Pacific Air Forces and U.S. PACOM to deepen ties with allies and build relationships with the international community.

This long-planned deployment is designed to demonstrate the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region.