US Sends More F-35 Fighter Jets to West Pacific Military Hub [Video]

The United States has sent another group of F-35A stealth fighter jets to an air base in the Western Pacific Ocean, where China and North Korea posed threats to America’s allies.

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The North Korean Embassy in Beijing, China, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why It Matters

Kadena Air Base, located on Japan‘s Okinawa Island, is a U.S. military hub in the region. At a distance of 370 miles, it is the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China has claimed as its territory and has reserved the right to use force against.

In addition to fighter aircraft, the U.S. Air Force routinely deployed spy planes from the U.S. mainland to Kadena, including the RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft, also known as Cobra Ball, which is capable of collecting data on ballistic missiles fired by North Korea.

What To Know

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