US Navy relocates F-35C and CMV-22B to Japan

US Navy press release

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, Detachment Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) will deploy to Iwakuni, Japan. The squadrons will join the aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

VFA 147’s F-35C Lightning II aircraft will replace VFA 115’s F/A-18 Hornets, while VRM 30, Det FDNF’s CMV-22B Osprey aircraft will replace Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30’s C-2A Greyhound aircraft that previously supported CVW 5 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5.

The F-35C is the US Navy’s most capable fighter and the backbone of air superiority; it complements the carrier battle group with a dominant, versatile 5th generation aircraft that strengthens US power projection and deterrence.

The Navy’s V-22 variant offers greater range, faster cargo loading and unloading, aerial refueling capability, higher survivability and improved beyond-line-of-sight communications compared to the legacy C-2A. This aircraft provides agility, flexibility and sustainability to effectively employ our naval forces in a high-level fight. The CMV-22B represents the next generation of the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission and is the critical factor in ensuring the sustained mobility of the carrier battle group.

CVW 5 is currently aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is scheduled to return to the United States this year for scheduled maintenance after being deployed to Japan for nearly nine years.

Ronald Reagan, currently conducting routine operations in the Pacific, will be replaced as America’s forward aircraft carrier by USS George Washington (CVN 73) at Yokosuka. CVW 5 will continue to serve as the United States forward carrier squadron and will embark aboard George Washington upon its return to Japan later this year.

The George Washington previously served as the Navy’s forward aircraft carrier in Yokosuka from 2008 to 2015.

The presence of VFA 147 and VRM 30 supports the United States commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region. They will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to deploy the most capable units in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States values ​​Japan’s contribution to peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific, as well as its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces stationed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, provide the core capabilities the Alliance needs to achieve our shared strategic objectives.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires the U.S. Navy to deploy the most capable ships and aircraft. This posture enables rapid response times for maritime and joint forces and deploys our most capable ships with the greatest power and operational capability.

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