35th Fighter Wing Gears Up for F‑35 Era, Sends Upgraded F‑16s to South Korea
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan / OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – The U.S. Air Force’s 35th Fighter Wing, stationed at Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan, is preparing to transition from legacy F‑16 Fighting Falcons to next‑generation F‑35A Lightning II aircraft, while simultaneously bolstering allied defenses by transferring upgraded F‑16s to South Korea.
Transition to the F‑35: Misawa’s Path Forward
Under the Department of Defense’s Indo‑Pacific modernization plan, the 35th FW is slated to be equipped with up to 48 F‑35A stealth fighters, replacing its current fleet of 36 F‑16C/D aircraft. This realignment supports U.S. strategy to deter regional threats, strengthen integration with the Japan Air Self‑Defense Force (JASDF), and maintain air dominance across the region over the coming years Business Insider+14The Aviationist+14Reddit+14.
Despite the outgoing jets’ departure, Misawa’s operational capability remains intact. The wing continues to fulfill its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) mission and will operate in conjunction with JASDF units, enhanced through intensive joint training and agile combat employment exercises The Aviationist+1Army Recognition+1.
F‑16 Reinforcements: Transfers to Osan Air Base
Between June 26 and 27, 2025, a wave of modernized F‑16 Fighting Falcons arrived at Osan Air Base, South Korea, transferred from Misawa’s 35th Fighter Wing. These aircraft feature upgraded avionics—including advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, cockpit displays, and precision navigation—bringing them closer to fifth-generation performance standards Defence Industry Europe+6Army Recognition+6Osan Air Base+6.
The relocation strengthens the U.S. Air Force’s 51st Fighter Wing, which is permanently based at Osan and forms the core of U.S. fighter power on the Korean Peninsula. The move enhances interoperability between U.S. forces in Japan and Korea, enabling seamless integration in joint and trilateral exercises with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and other allies Stars and Stripes+6Army Recognition+6Aviation News+6.
As articulated by Capt. Alexandra Sears and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Parsons of the 51st FW, the upgraded F‑16s provide unmatched multi-role flexibility—capable of supporting missions from close air support to suppression of enemy air defenses—and leverage established logistics and training infrastructure to deliver combat-ready capability now, ahead of F‑35 deployment Stars and Stripes+5DVIDS+5Aviation News+5.
Strategic Implications & Regional Deterrence
The realignment is part of a broader U.S. strategy to modernize Pacific-based air forces and deter regional threats. While Misawa transitions to F‑35As, Osan’s enhanced F‑16 fleet shores up near-term readiness and stabilizes force posture on the Korean Peninsula .
At the same time, South Korea is moving toward permanent deployment of U.S. F‑35A squadrons at Kunsan Air Base, with plans to consolidate all F‑16 units at Osan. That shift aligns with anticipated ROKAF acquisitions of up to 60 F‑35As, with additional aircraft entering service by 2027 .
Looking Ahead
As the 35th Fighter Wing transitions to the F‑35 era, the United States reaffirmed its forward-deployed deterrence through the refreshed F‑16 fleet at Osan. The combined realignment reinforces U.S.–Japan and U.S.–ROK alliances and ensures aviation forces across the Indo‑Pacific remain agile, interoperable, and capable of rapid response.
