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USAF bases first F-35As at Misawa as 13th Fighter Squadron begins F-16CM→F-35A Wild Weasel transition

The U.S. Air Force has permanently based the first F-35A Lightning IIs at Misawa Air Base, with four jets arriving March 28 to begin the 13th Fighter Squadron’s transition from F-16CMs into a fifth‑generation "Wild Weasel" SEAD role, reinforcing forward presence and trilateral defence ties during Exercise Kazaguruma Guardian 26.

Discovered 2026-03-29T17:55:36.598868-07:00 | 2026-03-29T17:55:36.598868-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The 13th Fighter Squadron’s transition replaces F-16CMs with stealthy F-35As for SEAD/Wild Weasel missions, a significant change in capability mix (four jets arrived March 28) that alters regional air-defence suppression options.
  • Permanent basing at Misawa signals deeper U.S. forward posture and strengthens trilateral deterrence during Exercise Kazaguruma Guardian 26, affecting force posture and operational planning across the Indo-Pacific; see related U.S. resilience planning in the region (source:051773f3-7da7-4aa1-828c-f679b74134ee).
  • The deployment occurs against a backdrop of expanded F-35 procurement and allied acquisitions that sustain sustainment and basing commitments (source:ec576941-18bd-4d5d-9c25-dd9d0081a985) and complements recent moves to upgrade SEAD/EW capabilities (source:b3a4accd-5d6d-423d-b8b4-2ca4591a5515).

Reported By

Aviation A2Z realcleardefense.com Yomiuri Japan News 19fortyfive.com news.ssbcrack.com zona-militar.com
Sources Tracked
16
First Seen
2026-03-29T17:55:36.598868-07:00
Latest Update
2026-04-01T05:07:06.870548-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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