USAF B-52H Bombers Escorted by Japanese F-15 and F-2 Fighters in Pacific Patrol

As part of bilateral co-operation between the two countries’ armed forces, United States Air Force (USAF) B-52H bombers were escorted for the first time this year by Japanese Air Self-Defence Force F-15 and F-2 fighters during a Pacific patrol. The mission took place in international airspace over the South China Sea and Sea of Japan, against a backdrop of sharply increased Chinese and Russian naval and air activity at several sensitive locations around the Japanese archipelago, which continues to cause concern in Tokyo.

B-52H bombers and Japanese fighters conduct joint Pacific patrol

Japan’s Ministry of Defence reported that, from 16 to 18 February, Japanese Air Self-Defence Force fighters from the 7th, 8th and 9th Air Wings, based at Hyakuri, Tsuiki and Naha respectively, joined USAF B-52H bombers deployed from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. The aircraft also carried out combined flights and tactical co-ordination activities intended to strengthen interoperability.

On 18 February, the exercise was remotely monitored from the headquarters at Ichigaya and Yokota, where Japanese officials received a detailed briefing on the progress of the operations. As is customary, Japanese authorities stressed that such exercises are intended to demonstrate the co-operation and resolve shared by both countries in response to any attempt to change the regional “status quo” by force.

The B-52H deployment alongside Japanese fighters was not, however, an isolated event. Similar exercises were recorded throughout 2025, particularly after joint Chinese and Russian bomber operations near the Japanese archipelago. For instance, last December, the US and Japanese air forces conducted combined manoeuvres involving B-52H bombers and F-15J fighters in response to the long-range air patrols conducted by Moscow and Beijing in the western Pacific.

In this respect, the use of US strategic bombers in the Asia-Pacific theatre serves as a visible deterrent, able to project power over long distances while integrating with allied forces. For Japan, the presence of these platforms also reinforces the security umbrella provided by Washington and highlights the strength of their mutual defence relationship.

Operational settings: the South China Sea and Sea of Japan

The selection of Pacific training areas is also significant. The South China Sea is a regular source of friction between Japan and China, particularly over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, while the Sea of Japan is home to a substantial share of Russian air and naval activity in the Far East.

Within this context, the combined manoeuvres involving B-52H bombers supported objectives ranging from improved operational co-ordination in the event of a potential conflict to sending a clear political signal in an environment where regional actors’ military activity continues to grow.

Guam: a strategic island for the United States Air Force

As noted, the USAF’s B-52H strategic bombers departed from Guam, a strategically important Indo-Pacific location for the United States. The island forms part of Bomber Task Force (BTF) operations and is the closest US territory to the region. Its value stems from its proximity to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, among others, but above all from its role as a deterrence hub aimed at China.

Its location enables aircraft, particularly bombers, to operate rapidly towards the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula or even the Taiwan Strait. It also gives the United States a base from which to conduct combined flights with Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, demonstrating cohesion with these partners.

Lastly, Andersen Air Force Base’s position allows the United States to sustain operations without relying solely on allied bases in Japan and South Korea, while also serving as an indirect pressure point in the regional theatre.