US shows off military might at its Pacific base near Taiwan

A taste of the military might of the US has been given in an image released by the Air Force from its closest base to the disputed island of Taiwan.

Fifty military aircraft plus two missile launchers are shown in the photograph taken at the Kadena Air Base in Japan, the US's frontline outpost in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Kadena is about 360 miles away from Taiwan, the US's closest air base to the self-governed island that China has claimed sovereignty over, threatening to use force against a security partner.

The Air Force is upgrading its ets at Kadena, with the olderf F-15C/D aircraft being replaced by more advanced F-15EX jets that boast better maneuverability and handling.

The US Air Force 18th Wing, the host unit for Kadena, showcased what it termed "one of the most diverse formations" of US military aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrating "combat readiness and regional deterrence", according to a press release from the unit.

The formation was predominantly made up of Air Force aircraft, including 24 F-35A stealth fighter jets, eight F-15E fighter aircraft, six HH-60 helicopters, six KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft, two MQ-9 drones, two MC-130J combat transport and special operations tanker aircraft, one RC-135 spy plane, and one E-3G early warning and control aircraft.

Both the F-35A and F-15E jets were recently dispatched to Okinawa from their home bases in the US, forming the latest fighter aircraft rotation. The former were deployed from Alaska and Utah in two squadrons, while the latter originated from North Carolina.Military

Two EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from the U.S. Navy, as well as two U.S. Army MIM-104 surface-to-air missile launchers, also known as the Patriot, participated in the event, which is referred to as an 'elephant walk'.

An 'elephant walk' refers to a close formation of aircraft taxiing together before takeoff, testing the ability to generate as many sorties as possible in a minimal amount of time.

In January, Kadena Air Base showcased its strategic capabilities by conducting an "elephant walk" with at least nine KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft, as reported by the 18th Wing.

US Air Force Brigadier General Nicholas Evans, the commander of the 18th Wing, affirmed the base's readiness, stating that it "stands ready to project airpower" to ensure the Indo-Pacific region remains free and open. 

Chief Master Sergeant Brandon Wolfgang added: "An elephant walk like this sends a message you can't ignore - it shows our airmen, allies, and adversaries that we're united, capable, and ready…This kind of teamwork and presence is exactly how we maintain deterrence in the Indo-Pacific."

"The sheer diversity of capabilities in this exercise is a testament to the lethality Kadena can leverage to deter adversarial aggression in the Indo-Pacific region."