On 2 October 2023,Boeing F-15C Eagles from 144th Fighter Wing,Fresno Air National Guard Base,California,arrived at Kadena Air Base,Okinawa,Japan to ensure continuous fighter presence as Kadena's fleet of F-15 C/D Eagles make a phased return to the US,18th Wing announced.Kadena is called the Keystone of the Pacific because of its strategic location on Okinawa.The ANG Eagles will work with other heavy,reconnaissance,and 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft assets augmented and stationed to Kadena to ensure steady-state fighter capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region.The diverse array of fighters,alongside joint and Allied Forces,strengthen operational readiness to defend Japan,while ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific through a robust presence of dynamic fighter aircraft.Said Lt.Col. John Vanbragt,144th Operations Group commander:Our squadron is excited to train and integrate with our bilateral Partners.Operating in the Indo-Pacific offers immense opportunities for our Airmen and Allies to strengthen our partnerships and continue to refine tactics.* Thus the reception of the F-15C at Kadena enables the 18th Wing to work dynamically in a fluid airspace and Area of Operations,ensuring U.S. Forces Japan and Allied partners remain postured to deliver lethal and combat-ceredible airpower to ensure the defence of US Allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific,maintaining deterrence capabilities and added flexibility in a dynamic theatre.Posturing with a wide range of capabilities in the Indo-Pacific remains a top priority,18th Wing said.* Team Kadena is a world-class combat team ready to fight and win from the Keystone in the Pacific.Kadena Air Base's mission is to project decisive airpower to ensure regional stability and security as an Agile,Innovative and Ready Force from Pacific Air Forces' premier air base.* The F-15C has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 (1650 mph/2655 km/h at high altitude) and has a service ceiling of 65,000 ft/20,000 km.It is armed with 1x20mm M61A1 Vulcan 6 barrel rotating cannon and up to 4xAIM-7 Sparrow missiles;4xAIM-9 Sidewinder missiles;and 8-AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.The Air Force plans to retire all F-15C/Ds by 2026.* Boeing (BA)