The Japan Air Self-Defense Force formally placed the U.S.-made F-35B Lightning II into frontline service on February 7, 2026, holding a deployment commemoration ceremony at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. According to information published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the operational introduction of the short takeoff and vertical landing variant reflects Tokyo’s accelerating focus on distributed and survivable air operations amid a tightening regional security environment. Read full Defense Aerospace News at this link …
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| Japanese defense officials and Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel attend the F-35B deployment commemoration ceremony at Nyutabaru Air Base on February 7, marking the STOVL stealth fighter's official entry into frontline service. (Picture source: Japan MoD) |
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