F-16C Wild Weasels of the 35th Fighter Wing, based at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, will be replaced by F-35As as part of the U.S. Air Force’s modernizations efforts for tactical ...

In boosting the 35th Fighter Wing from 36 old F-16s to 48 new F-35s, the US Air Force is acknowledging the growing danger Chinese air defences would pose to US and allied air operations around Taiwan.

After the incident, Col. Timothy Murphy, vice commander of the 35th Fighter Wing based at Misawa, said priority was placed on maintaining the safety of military personnel and local residents.