Kadena Air Base, Japan – U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 4th Fighter Squadron and the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducted aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean near Kadena Air Base on November 17, 2025.

The fighters refueled from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron as part of an ongoing mission in the region.

During the same operation, B-1B Lancers from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron integrated with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2B fighter aircraft and F-35As.

Together, the U.S. and Japanese aircraft carried out intercept, formation, and navigation training, strengthening combined capability and coordination.

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