The United States Air Force has stationed B-1B Lancer bombers in Japan amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific. These aircraft, part of what the Air Force calls a Bomber Task Force mission, arrived at Misawa Air Base on April 15, 2025.
These long-range bombers belong to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and traveled from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
This move signifies a notable increase in the United States’ long-range bomber operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Before landing in Japan, the B-1Bs conducted a joint training exercise with the Republic of Korea Air Force fighters. This mission included flights over the western Korean Peninsula and Osan Air Base.
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Travelstead, Director of Operations at the 9th EBS, stated that this Bomber Task Force mission demonstrates the U.S. commitment to discouraging threats and maintaining stability in the region.
“These missions in the Indo-Pacific ensure our B-1 crews are highly trained and ready to respond anytime, anywhere, to defend U.S. interests and support our allies, securing a stable Indo-Pacific, where all nations operate freely under a rules-based order while promoting global peace and prosperity,” Travelstead added.
U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35 and F-16 fighters accompanied the B-1B bombers. Initially, two B-1Bs arrived at Misawa, with expectations of more to follow.
This marks the first occasion that B-1B bombers have been based in Japan under the Bomber Task Force concept. Previous appearances have been brief.
In February 2025, B-1 bombers refueled at Misawa during a mission to Guam. This refueling method, known as ‘hot-pitting,’ involves refueling with engines running, which speeds up the process and maintains the aircraft’s readiness.
This technique helps increase the rate at which aircraft can fly missions by allowing for quick refueling, rearming, and crew changes, enabling combat aircraft to return to action more rapidly.
Shutting down the aircraft increases the potential for equipment malfunctions during restart. Therefore, for complex aircraft, keeping the engines running ensures systems remain active and reduces the likelihood of technical issues, maintaining the aircraft’s mission-ready status.
A Broader Strategy In The Indo-Pacific
The US Air Force introduced the Bomber Task Force initiative in 2018. This replaced the previous system of continuous bomber rotations with more adaptable, short-term deployments.
These missions vary in length, from a few weeks to several months, and typically involve a small number of aircraft. The goal is to enhance the familiarity of aircrews with various regions and foster stronger working relationships with allied forces. It also allows for a less predictable and more dispersed presence of U.S. strategic assets.
These missions have occurred in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Within the Pacific, Bomber Task Force rotations have included bases such as Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Australia, and Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The addition of Misawa expands the network of forward-deployed bomber bases.
This deployment occurs at a time when six B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are already stationed at Diego Garcia. The combined presence of B-1Bs in Japan and B-2s in the Indian Ocean indicates a greater emphasis on Asia and the Indo-Pacific theater.
Misawa Air Base already hosts a permanent presence of U.S. Air Force F-16CJ fighters and falls under the command of Pacific Air Forces. The base is strategically located to support missions across a vast area of 100 million square miles. This includes potential operations directed at North Korea, Russia, and especially areas near the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
Despite Japan’s long history of hosting numerous U.S. military assets, including the only U.S. Navy aircraft carrier permanently stationed outside the continental United States, it had not previously hosted a long-term strategic bomber presence.
While U.S. bombers have conducted short-term operations in Japan and trained with Japanese forces, this marks the first sustained basing. Although the presence of U.S. forces in Japan has sparked some domestic debate, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in power for most of the period since 1955, strongly supports the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Deterrence And Forward Positioning
This deployment to Misawa aligns with the Pentagon’s Pacific Deterrence Initiative. This plan focuses on strengthening the U.S. forward military presence in Asia by incorporating long-range strike capabilities, including bombers, ground-launched missiles, and hypersonic weapons. The aim is to make U.S. forces more adaptable and responsive while making planning more difficult for potential adversaries.
A key element of this strategy is the First Island Chain, a term describing the line of islands stretching from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines to Southeast Asia. This area is considered a critical buffer zone between U.S. forces and mainland China. By positioning bombers within this zone, the U.S. intends to improve response times during crises and strengthen its ability to deter conflict.
The B-1B Lancer’s capabilities also serve another important purpose: Among its newer abilities is launching AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles. These stealthy, precision-guided weapons enhance the bomber’s role in maritime strikes.
The presence of B-1Bs equipped with these anti-ship missiles near potential maritime conflict zones adds a layer of deterrence against naval confrontations. The South China Sea, in particular, has become a central point of competing territorial claims and military build-ups.
The ability to project power across both the First and Second Island Chains provides the U.S. with flexibility in managing tensions across the region. The Second Island Chain, extending from Japan to eastern Indonesia and including Guam, serves as a secondary defense line in case of conflict.
The distance from China makes these locations more secure in the event of a conflict. Bombers based in Misawa can reach targets across both chains, offering both offensive reach and strategic depth.
Expanding Tactical Feasibility
The stationing of B-1B bombers in Japan enables increased joint training exercises with regional allies, including Japan, South Korea, and potentially Australia and the Philippines.
While the U.S. presents this as routine activity, it sends a clear message of commitment to the region’s security. However, China views such movements as a destabilizing factor, particularly in areas of contention.
This shift is part of the growing military competition in the Indo-Pacific. Both the U.S. and China are investing in long-range strike capabilities and increasing their military presence in the region. The B-1B deployment is the first of its kind since the Vietnam War and brings U.S. air power closer to the South China Sea, where tensions with China have been increasing.
With bombers now based at both Misawa and Diego Garcia, the U.S. is enhancing its ability to respond quickly and maintain a balanced military presence in a region experiencing rapid military expansion and escalating tensions.
- Via: ET News Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
