Twelve Air Force F-35As will deploy to Kadena Air Base, Japan, next month for a six-month deployment, marking the Air Force variant's first operational tasking to the Asia-Pacific region.
Pacific Air Force announced the deployment in an Oct. 23 press release. Approximately 300 airmen and 12 F-35As will arrive at the base in early November as part of U.S. Pacific Command's theater security package.
"The long-planned deployment is designed to demonstrate the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region," the release states.
Marine Corps F-35B aircraft have been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, since January.