美军 F-15EX 战机首度常驻海外：首批两架抵达日本嘉手纳基地，计划部署36架
美国空军第18联队11月15日宣布，首批常驻日本冲绳嘉手纳空军基地的 F-15EX「鹰II」战斗机当天抵达嘉手纳，首批两架战机隶属第67战斗机中队。嘉手纳成为首个接收作战编码 F-15EX 的美国海外空军基地，也是继俄勒冈州波特兰空军国民警卫队基地之后，全美空军第二个列装这一机型的基地。
「F-15EX 抵达嘉手纳，是美国在太平洋地区空中力量的一个重要里程碑，」第18联队联队长约翰·加勒莫尔准将在声明中说，「这些战机增强了我们威慑侵略、应对新出现威胁以及与盟友和伙伴一道保卫日本的能力。它们在嘉手纳的常驻，强化了我们对美日同盟的承诺，也确保我们继续把先进的作战能力带到世界上最具战略意义的地区之一。」
此次抵达是嘉手纳换装的下一阶段：基地原有的 F-15C/D 机队自2022年11月起分阶段撤离，结束40多年的服役。美国国防部2024年7月公布的计划是以36架 F-15EX 替换嘉手纳原有的48架 F-15C/D；过渡期间，第四代与第五代战机以轮换方式维持基地的战机存在，第18联队的飞行、地勤与任务保障人员则为新机型的运用做准备。第67战斗机中队飞行员此前已赴佛罗里达州埃格林空军基地与波特兰空军国民警卫队基地，保持飞行熟练度并完成 F-15EX 的机型改装训练。
「把 F-15EX 送到嘉手纳只是开始，」第67战斗机中队中队长阿贾伊·杜阿中校说，「现在我们的重点是把战机融入飞行行动、积累中队经验，并学会最大限度发挥它的性能。这对第67战斗机中队来说是一个令人振奋的时刻。」第18飞机维修中队中队长斯宾塞·谢尔曼少校表示，维修人员多年来为这次换装做准备，与波音公司以及埃格林、波特兰的空军团队协调，不断提升维护新机型的技术能力。
F-15EX 配备先进航电系统、现代化电子战系统与更大的武器挂载能力。空军表示，新机型抵达后，嘉手纳执行反空战任务的能力将得到提升，并与第五代战机互补，继续与日本航空自卫队及其他地区伙伴保持双边战备。第44战斗机中队与第67战斗机中队未来都将装备 F-15EX。第18联队同时表示，联队将于2027年迎来建队百年，2027年1月21日是联队前身第18追击大队1927年在夏威夷惠勒机场组建100周年。
（来源：美国空军第18联队）
First Permanently Assigned U.S. F-15EX Fighters Arrive at Kadena, the Jet's First Overseas Combat Base
The U.S. Air Force's 18th Wing said on November 15 that the first permanently assigned F-15EX Eagle II fighters had arrived at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, with the first two aircraft assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron. Kadena is the first overseas Air Force installation to receive combat-coded F-15EX aircraft, and the second Air Force location to field the type, after Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon.
"The arrival of the F-15EX at Kadena marks a significant milestone for American airpower in the Pacific," said Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing, in the announcement. "These aircraft strengthen our ability to deter aggression, respond to emerging threats, and defend Japan alongside our allies and partners. Their permanent presence at Kadena reinforces our commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and ensures we continue to bring advanced combat capabilities to one of the most strategically important regions in the world."
The arrival is the next phase of Kadena's transition: the base's F-15C/D fleet began a phased withdrawal in November 2022, ending more than four decades of service. Under a plan announced by the Department of Defense in July 2024, 36 F-15EX aircraft will replace Kadena's 48 F-15C/Ds. During the transition, fourth- and fifth-generation fighters maintained a continuous fighter presence at Kadena on rotation while the 18th Wing's aircrew, maintainers and mission support personnel prepared to employ the new platform. Pilots of the 67th Fighter Squadron trained at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and at Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon to maintain flying proficiency and complete qualification on the F-15EX.
"Getting the F-15EX to Kadena is just the beginning," said Lt. Col. Ajay Dua, commander of the 67th Fighter Squadron. "Now our focus shifts to integrating the aircraft into our flying operations, building experience as a squadron, and learning how to get the most out of its capabilities. It's an exciting time to be part of the 67th Fighter Squadron." Maj. Spencer Sherman, commander of the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said maintainers had spent years preparing for the transition, working with Boeing and Air Force teams at Eglin and Portland to build technical proficiency on the new platform.
The F-15EX brings advanced avionics, modernized electronic warfare systems and increased weapons-carrying capacity. The Air Force said its arrival expands Kadena's ability to conduct counterair operations, complements fifth-generation aircraft and supports continued bilateral readiness alongside the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and other regional partners. Both the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons will operate the F-15EX at Kadena. The 18th Wing also said it will celebrate its centennial in 2027, marking 100 years since its activation as the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, on January 21, 1927.
(Source: U.S. Air Force 18th Wing)
来源：美国空军第18联队
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：一架常驻嘉手纳的 F-15EX「鹰II」战斗机（尾号22-022）2026年11月15日在日本冲绳嘉手纳空军基地着陆。美国空军照片，一等兵 Nathaniel Jackson 摄（公共领域，经 DVIDS 发布）。 / Photo: A permanently assigned F-15EX Eagle II fighter (tail 22-022) lands at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, on November 15, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson (public domain, via DVIDS).
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