The fifth-generation stealth fighter jets are stationed at the Japan Self-Defense Force base! US military F-22s show up to build forts

The U.S. Air Force F-22 "Raptor" stealth fighter jets flew to the Fortress Base in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan on October 19 to participate in the U.S.-Japan joint exercise "Keen Sword 27". In addition to the transfer of fighter aircraft to bases used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, this deployment also drew attention to the ground support and maintenance conditions required for fifth-generation stealth fighters to operate at different bases.

The professional military media "Army Recognition" reported on the 24th that these F-22s belong to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force and were originally deployed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The photos released by the 18th Wing of the U.S. Air Force on the 22nd recorded the arrival of fighter jets at the fortified base, but did not specify the number of deployments, the length of stay, or the detailed logistics arrangements for this deployment.

Ground support is crucial to the continued operation of fighter aircraft

The F-22 is the fifth-generation stealth fighter of the U.S. Air Force. It mainly performs air superiority missions and has a stealth design, integrated sensors and supersonic cruise capabilities. This type of fighter aircraft continues to operate at the base. In addition to the flight mission itself, it also requires support from ground crews, maintenance equipment, spare parts, fuel, ammunition and communication systems. Just because fighter planes can fly to another base does not mean that the local area has complete long-term maintenance and supply capabilities.

Photos released by the U.S. Air Force show ground crews from the 525th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit guiding F-22s at Fortress Base, confirming the participation of maintenance support personnel in this deployment. However, the public information does not explain what levels of maintenance can be performed locally, whether there are enough parts and special equipment, and how often these fighters can carry out subsequent flight missions.

One of the key points of the "Agile Combat Employment (ACE)" promoted by the US military in recent years is to enable troops to operate dispersedly in different locations and reduce dependence on a few major bases. This approach not only involves the mobilization of fighter aircraft, but also requires personnel, equipment and supplies to cooperate with the task transfer. However, the current public information has not yet stated whether the F-22's entry into the fortification base is a specific ACE verification activity, nor has the relevant training results been announced.

The "Sharp Sword 27" exercise was held from October 19 to 29. The training content covered air and missile defense, facility protection and repair, and logistics supply. The arrival of the F-22 at the Zhucheng base this time shows that the US military has deployed this type of fighter jet to the Air Self-Defense Force base in Japan. As for the local maintenance support capabilities, supply scale and fighter dispatch status, the existing public information has not yet provided specific data.