JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Air Combat Command recently played a pivotal role in an allied fighter deployment by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
During the final weeks of September 2025, F-15J fighters from the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 2nd Air Wing completed the JASDF’s first transatlantic mission as part of the cooperative training event “Atlantic Eagles.” For the first time in history, JASDF brought their F-15J aircraft to Europe and North America.
“This friendly visit embodies the JASDF’s commitment to the recognition that security of the Euro-Atlantic and of the Indo-Pacific are inseparable and interconnected, by deploying fighter aircraft to the United States, and for the first time, to Canada and Europe,” said JASDF Col. Miyazaki, deployment detachment commander. “Furthermore, we believe it is highly meaningful to further promote defense cooperation and exchanges through deepening the mutual understandings by unit-level interactions and other activities at all destinations. ”
To aid in the operation, ACC’s Air Operations Squadron built the JASDF a comprehensive fighter flight plan for the movement. The process involved running the intricate calculations for multi-ship aerial refueling and potential contingency divert bases.
“No other Department of War unit can safely and efficiently execute the complex mission of global, trans-oceanic fighter movements,” said U.S. Air Force Lt Col David Kuhn, ACC AOS commander. “The entire AOS team’s knowledge and experience is unparalleled, and that was on display during this mission.”
AOS missions are called “Coronets,” and involve close coordination between fighter units, tanker units, air traffic control organizations, and foreign nations to ensure fighters can safely travel long distances and across oceans.
During the mission, the JASDF visited partner installations in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States.
The AOS Delivery Control Officers functioned as the focal point for each leg of the Coronet, coordinating with international agencies and making critical decisions for the fighters. The movement demonstrated the capabilities of the JASDF and highlighted the interoperability between different services.
“We have an excellent relationship with our Japanese partners in everyday operations through United States Forces Japan (USFJ) and Fifth Air Force,” said USAF Lt Col Frederick Backhus, ACC AOS fighter delivery control officer. “This opportunity to support their transatlantic movement only adds to our strong interoperability capabilities and seamless cooperation. It was impressive to see the 201st squadron execute this movement; the JASDF are always well-prepared and the utmost professionals. We enjoyed being a small part of their success.”
Despite the scale of the Atlantic Eagles mission, the AOS DCOs were still able to complete all the planning and coordination within half of the typical Coronet planning timeline, executing every leg on time throughout the entire operation.
“As the international society faces its greatest challenges since the end of World War II, no country can ensure its own security only by acting alone,” Miyazaki said. “In addition to Japan’s own efforts, cooperation and collaboration with ally and like-minded countries are critical.”
For over 30 years, the AOS has provided planning and execution support to every fighter aircraft in the Department of War. Through their outstanding performance, they continue to demonstrate ACC’s commitment to supporting U.S. allies and partners.