Goodbye Charlie! Kadena bids farewell to the final U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle.
Article: Jaryd Stock.
Images: Jaryd Stock & Airman 1st class Amy Kelly
The U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) 18th Wing based at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa conducted the final flight of a McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle (serial 83-1029) back in January, rendering a salute before its transition to becoming a maintenance training aircraft.
Releasing the news last week PACAF highlighted the final flight of the Charlie variant Eagle marking the conclusion of the 45-year legacy of Alpha-Delta Eagles to fly at Kadena Air Base. It was also a truly historic moment in U.S. military aviation being the final flight of any active-duty F-15C in the U.S. Air Force.
That day a ceremony was held at Kadena where U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric Boehm relinquished command of the 18th AMXS, casing the squadron guidon with U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Schwinler, 18th Maintenance Group commander, to signify the squadron’s deactivation.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric Boehm, right, 67th Fighter Generation Squadron commander, accepts command of the 67th FGS from U.S. Air Force Col. Randy Schwinler, 18th Maintenance Group commander, during the squadron activation ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Jan. 24, 2025
Following the deactivation, Boehm received the guidon of the 67th Fighter Generation Squadron (FGS), signalling his assumption of command of the new squadron.
The realignment of maintenance Airmen, resources and responsibilities provides a more synchronised relationship between operators and maintainers. Now, the Airmen responsible for maintaining the jets will be sitting right next to the Airmen flying them.
This flattens the maintenance organisational structure and transitions aircraft maintenance units into fighter generation squadrons ultimately advancing readiness for the defence of Japan.
“We continue to seek ways to become a more capable and agile force,” said Schwinler. “This Combat Oriented Maintenance Organisation builds a strong mindset between maintainers and the respective flying squadrons increasing operational readiness to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
This construct also places more emphasis on leadership at the tactical level of execution, allowing for advanced ability to tailor advocacy, policy and execution at the lowest level — improving efficiency.
Boehm highlighted that as part of this change Airmen will be expanding upon the Fighter Integration Tactics and Training (FITT) program, having Airmen work alongside maintenance units at Kadena, as well firsthand on the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II in the continental U.S., as they prepare for the transition to the arrival to Kadena.
67th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle (83-1029) was the last F-15 Charlie variant to visit Australia last noted at the Australian Airshow in 2023.
“The FITT program will allow maintainers to work within a similar climate, in concert with dynamic force employment leadership, thereby exercising a global application essential to agile combat employment,” said Boehm.
The F-15EX includes more weapon systems, cutting-edge avionics, and enhanced offensive and defensive systems, enabling Kadena to remain equipped to address the dynamic security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
Airmen will focus training on adapting from an air-to-air exclusive mission to a multi-role mission, incorporating air-to-ground tactics and advanced weapon systems.
To ensure no gaps in forward-deployed fighter capabilities, the Department of Defense and U.S. Pacific Air Forces will maintain a steady-state presence at Kadena by deploying a mixture of fourth- and fifth-generation such as F-16’s through to the F-22 and F-35 fleet of aircraft until the arrival of the F-15EX fleet.
Although there were 48 F-15C/D Eagles serving with the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons, a fleet of around 36 F-15EX Eagles bound for Kadena will greatly enhance the PACAF’s ability to project power from the base due to the specific upgrades the EX has over earlier variants of the Eagle.
The base itself at Kadena is all the more important to the PACAF as it allows for a more rapid response to contingencies in the region involving China, and the Eagles will be at the forefront of deterrence operating from the base.
U.S. Air Force Airmen salute the last F-15C Eagle as it taxis after the 67th Fighter Generation Squadron activation ceremony for its final flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 24, 2025. The FGS construct places more emphasis on leadership in the maintenance enterprise at the tactical level of execution, allowing for advanced ability to tailor advocacy, policy and execution at the lowest level required.
PACAF 67th FGS nicknamed the “Fighting Cocks” bids farewell to the F-15C Eagle on January 24th 2025.
Jaryd Stock is based in Sydney Australia. He has been a die-hard aviation enthusiast from a young age when he was chauffeured around by his father to various airshows and airports around Australia. At his first Airshow he witnessed the awesomeness of a General Dynamics F-111C and immediately fell in love with aviation.
Jaryd picked up a camera at a young age and has never looked back. He now combines photography and writing to highlight “Downunder” aviation; especially U.S. DoD units. Jaryd uses Nikon cameras and lenses.