US deploys F-35B squadron to Japan amid rising Indo-Pacific tensions

The United States Marine Corps has deployed Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), known as the “Wake Island Avengers,” to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, as part of a broader strategy to reinforce deterrence and enhance military readiness in the Indo-Pacific.

The deployment, announced on May 10 and conducted under the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program, comes amid escalating tensions in the region, particularly due to China’s increasing military assertiveness near Taiwan and in the South China Sea, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media sources.

VMFA-211 is equipped with F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, which feature advanced stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) functions. These features provide enhanced flexibility and survivability, enabling U.S. forces to rapidly project airpower across contested zones.

The arrival of VMFA-211 is intended to bolster the U.S.-Japan security alliance and support flight operations in strategically critical areas. The unit’s forward presence is seen as a key component of Washington’s efforts to maintain operational superiority and deter aggression in an increasingly volatile security environment.

MCAS Iwakuni, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the southern tip of Honshu Island, is one of the most advanced U.S. military airbases in the region. It serves as a central hub for Marine Corps aviation in the Western Pacific and hosts both U.S. and Japanese forces. The base’s modern infrastructure supports a wide range of aircraft and is equipped for high-tempo operations, including logistics, maintenance, and command-and-control functions.

Given its proximity to geopolitical flashpoints such as Taiwan, the East China Sea, and the Korean Peninsula, MCAS Iwakuni is considered a critical location for rapid-response missions and persistent surveillance.

By Khagan Isayev