Det. 1, 13th Air Force, was activated today during a ceremony at Yokota AB, Japan. This new unit is expected to strengthen the US-Japan security alliance; its 50-person detachment will plan, coordinate, and execute air operations in and around Japan. They’ll work with the 613th Air and Space Operations Center in Hawaii, as well as the 5th Air Force at Yokota to coordinate with their Japan Air Self Defense Force counterparts. Col. Michael MacWilliam, who has worked as the 5th Air Force director of operations and plans, is to command the detachment.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…