Boeing delivers first F-15EX slated for Japan duty

Boeing has delivered the 22nd F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet, the first example of the type slated for permanent stationing at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan. The aircraft, tail number 22-0022, departed Boeing's fighter delivery center at St Louis Lambert International Airport on 28 August. It was ferried to Portland, Oregon, where it will receive additional updates and preparations for its future assignment to Kadena, the US Air Force said.

The air force confirmed the delivery milestone on 3 September. Brigadier General John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing based on Okinawa, called the delivery an important step toward bringing the F-15EX to Kadena. Dan Gillian, general manager of Boeing's air dominance unit, said the event highlights the platform's strategic value and the dedication of the teams involved.

The F-15EX is the latest variant of the Eagle fighter. It features fly-by-wire controls, an advanced electronic countermeasures survivability system, modern avionics and sensors, and improved weapons payload and flight performance compared with legacy F-15 models, according to Boeing. The Oregon Air National Guard is the lead unit for F-15EX fielding, with plans to provide 18 Eagle IIs to the 123rd Fighter Squadron at Portland to replace F-15C/Ds. That squadron received its first combat-configured F-15EX in 2024.