Air National Guard F-35As, a first for Kadena

On 13 January 2025, ten F-35A Lightning IIs from the Vermont Air National Guard's 134th Fighter Squadron arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, marking another fifth-generation fighter deployment to the region.

While F-35s have been a familiar sight at Kadena in recent years, this is the first deployment of Air National Guard F-35As to the U.S. base on Okinawa. Re-designated as the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for this mission, the aircraft—typically assigned to the Vermont ANG’s 158th Fighter Wing—became the first Guard unit to operate the fifth-generation fighter in 2019.

The 134th EFS has relieved F-35As from Hill Air Force Base (Utah). During their deployment, the Vermont aircraft are expected to integrate with F-22A Raptors from the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 77th EFS, and the remaining F-15C Eagles from the 18th Wing.

Together, they will maintain forward fighter capabilities, supporting theater deterrence and US Indo-Pacific Command objectives.

As the "Keystone of the Pacific", Kadena Air Base serves as a critical hub for Agile Combat Employment (ACE). During this deployment, the 134th EFS will contribute to testing the US Air Force’s ACE concepts in the Indo-Pacific region.

Vermont ANG F-35As previously supported ACE testing at RAF Lakenheath in May 2021. They were also deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in May 2022. More recently, in September 2024, four Vermont F-35As participated in Austria's two-day Airpower Airshow at Zeltweg.

The following ten VT coded F-35As are now deployed to Kadena:
17-5265 (as flagship 158FW), 17-5279, 18-5337, 18-5338, 18-5339, 18-5340, 18-5344, 18-5349, 18-5358 and 18-5361.

Credit photos: USAF / Credit patch: https://flightlineinsignia.com/