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Misawa Air Base F-16s Relocate to Support Indo-Pacific Stability

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andre Medina
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. By repositioning F-16s to South Korea, the 35th Fighter Wing supported modernization across PACAF and reinforced the U.S.-ROK alliance’s collective defense posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)
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SLIDESHOW | 6 images | 250813-F-NU460-1118
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base.

250813-F-NU460-1118

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. By repositioning F-16s to South Korea, the 35th Fighter Wing supported modernization across PACAF and reinforced the U.S.-ROK alliance’s collective defense posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. William Decker, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to taxi onto the flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025.

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U.S. Air Force Capt. William Decker, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to taxi onto the flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. By repositioning F-16 Fighting Falcons to South Korea, the 35th Fighter Wing supported modernization across PACAF and reinforced the U.S.-ROK alliance’s collective defense posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. William Decker, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025.

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U.S. Air Force Capt. William Decker, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, performs a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. The movement of Misawa’s F-16s to Osan Air Base underscored the 35th Fighter Wing’s role in enabling forward deployment of advanced air assets, maintaining combat capability during the wing’s transition to F-35 Lightning IIs, and strengthening allied readiness to deter aggression and ensure Indo-Pacific stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, sends off an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025.

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Pedro Muriel, 13th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, sends off an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. The relocation of the F-16s reflected the 35th Fighter Wing’s commitment to strengthening regional security while advancing toward a next-generation fighter fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi onto a flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025.

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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi onto a flightline at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. The departure marked a key step in the 35th Fighter Wing’s transition from F-16s to F-35 Lightning IIs, ensuring sustained combat capability and regional deterrence throughout the changeover. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025

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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2025. The departure marked a key step in the 35th Fighter Wing’s transition from F-16s to F-35 Lightning IIs, ensuring sustained combat capability and regional deterrence throughout the changeover. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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