September 18, 2025 was a day of truly epic proportions at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire when two Mitsubishi F-15J’s from the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, Japan became the first fighters from Japan to deploy to the UK and Europe. The much anticipated European ‘Atlantic Eagles’ deployment was underway.
Needless to say, the aviation community turned out in force to witness this truly historic aviation event. The surrounding fences were packed but it was a day when good humour prevailed.
With speculation mounting regarding the event which stretched the imagination at times, four Eagles departed Chitose Air Base on September 14, 2025 heading initially for Eielson Air Base in Alaska before proceeding to Goose Bay in Canada. From here, only two F-15J’s crossed the Atlantic to RAF Coningsby; 22-8936 and 42-8946 call signs ‘JINTEI 1/2’. It now seems likely that the two jets remaining at Goose Bay were air spares for the Atlantic crossing.
In terms of logistics, the fighters were supported by three tankers; JASDF Boeing KC-46 (JF601/44-3613) and Boeing KC-767 (JA501/87-3601) both of which landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, plus an Omega KDC-10 (OMEGA11- ) which landed at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. Heavy lift cargo and personnel support was provided by two Kawasaki C-2 cargo aircraft (xxx) the first of which arrived at Coningsby on September 17. Both cut an impressive sight parked behind each other on the taxi-way near the main Typhoon ASP.
Expected to arrive around 1600 local time, the two F-15J’s eventually broke into the Coningsby circuit around 1640 local time preceded by ‘WARLORD 41/41’ flight who had conducted an air-to-air sortie prior to landing. Unfortunately the weather had deteriorated badly by now. Landing on runway 25, the two F-15s taxied slowly to the end of the runway before turning right and taxing together on to the main 29 Squadron ramp. Here they were greeted by senior Japanese and UK officials plus official journalists and photographers who recorded this historic event. Both aircraft wore ‘Atlantic Eagles’ markings. As the sun was setting, both jets were towed away and hangared in 29 Squadron’s hangars. It seems likely they will fly no missions whilst at Coningsby and will remain hangared until they depart for Laage Air base in Germany next week and the final stage of their historic Atlantic Eagles deployment.
Whilst no information was provided regarding the nations aspirations for this deployment, the expectation is that there will be various cultural engagements with the based Squadrons which will aim to build relationships and strengthen ties between NATO and all nations concerned. For Japan, the deployment is historic as it marks not only the first time fighter jets have deployed to Europe, the deployment clearly demonstrated Japan’s commitment to international interoperability plus its long-range reach and ability to project it’s capability.
