The Pentagon formally split the combined U.S. Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force into separate commands, ending a dual-hatted arrangement that had been in place for more than 60 years. The separation means that the former combined commander, Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, ...
U.S. Forces Japan
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Jan. 15 as the two nations look to further solidify their ties in the face of growing Chinese and North Korean threats.
U.S. Space Forces Japan activated Dec. 3 at Yokota Air Base, the latest milestone in the service’s push to establish components within combatant commands and a sign of a deepening space partnership between the two allies, officials said.
Two of the U.S. Air Force’s three bases in Japan got new commanders on July 9 and the outgoing head of U.S. Forces Japan and the 5th Air Force warned of “increasingly aggressive” adversaries, ahead of major force changes.
The U.S. Air Force will shift and upgrade its fighter presence in Japan, placing F-15EXs at Kadena Air Base and F-35s at Misawa Air Base, the Pentagon announced July 3.
U.S. forces in Japan and Alaska are slated to get new leaders, as the Pentagon announced March 25 that President Joe Biden has nominated two Air Force major generals for their third stars and new assignments. Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Jost has been tapped to take command ...
A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan on Nov. 29, according to Air Force Special Operations Command and Japanese officials. In a release, AFSOC said the Osprey, assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing at Yokota Air Base, suffered a ...
U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers and F-16 fighters flew alongside Japanese and South Korean aircraft in separate training exercises Feb. 19, a day after North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that fell off Japan’s coast.
The U.S. and Japanese air forces should look to strengthen their coordination and training, potentially even staging a high-level exercise in Japan, to counter the threats facing both countries in the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Air Force Director of Staff Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider said ...
The Senate on Aug. 11 confirmed a new commander for U.S. Southern Command and a new undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. The pace of confirmations ticked up with the approach of the August recess. The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, commander ...
The Senate on July 29 confirmed new bosses for Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Mobility Command along with five other general officer roles in the Air and Space Forces. Lt. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton will receive his fourth star and replace Gen. Timothy ...
President Joe Biden has nominated new commanders for the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command and the Space Force’s Space Systems Command. Lt. Gen. Mike Minihan has been tapped for a fourth star and to replace Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost as head of AMC. Minihan ...