The activity built on last year’s Resolute Force Pacific deployment. It gave Kadena’s Airmen another opportunity to train with and plan for the aircraft that will eventually replace the base’s F-15 fleet.
“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, 85th TES commander. The 18th Wing integrated with the aircraft to support coordination among operations, maintenance and mission support teams.
The deployment also provided opportunities to validate maintenance procedures, logistics requirements and combat generation capabilities. Eglin’s 96th Maintenance Group Airmen supported the deployment along with the F-15EX and two F-15E Strike Eagles.
The 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Red maintains Eglin Air Force Base’s F-15s, including aircraft assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. Its involvement supported the transfer of maintenance and operational experience to Kadena personnel.
For the 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base’s first operational F-15EX unit, the deployment served as an integration event. The squadron used the opportunity to gain operational knowledge and technical expertise from Eglin’s test units ahead of future Eagle II employment.
“The F-15EX represents the next chapter of airpower at Kadena,” said Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. “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.”
During one deployment mission, Eglin’s F-15EX aircrew flew with an uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat in support of Exercise Valiant Shield over the Philippine Sea. The Air Force said the flight marked a significant milestone in Collaborative Combat Aircraft development in the Indo-Pacific theater.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft are semi-autonomous aircraft that operate under the oversight of human operators. Eglin Air Force Base also has its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft mission through the XQ-58 Valkyrie.
“The future of airpower is a partnership between our greatest assets: our skilled warfighters and the technology that empowers them,” said Maj. Daniel Pesich, Experimental Operations Unit CCA detachment officer in charge. “By advancing human-machine teaming, we are increasing our power projection while building a more resilient, capable, and lethal joint force.”
Integrated developmental and operational testing of the F-15EX is continuing at Eglin Air Force Base. The work is being carried out between the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
