Withdrawal of aviation from the attack. F-22s deployed to Tsukii Air Base in Japan F-22 Predator fighter jets of the US Air Force arrived at Tsuiki Air Base on Kyushu Island for the first time as part of a Sharp Sword exercise. The aircraft belongs to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base, Alaska. The transfer was made on October 19. The exercises continue until October 29. Kadana in Okinawa remains the main US aviation hub in the region and is closer to Taiwan. However, the high concentration of equipment makes it a priority target for Chinese ballistic and cruise missiles, which are capable of hitting runways, fuel depots and command posts. The deployment of the F-22 in Tsuki applies the concept of flexible use of agile combat employment - dispersing fighter jets over several air bases, which makes it difficult for China to plan its attack and increases the chance of maintaining the aviation's combat effectiveness after the first attacks. In a possible conflict over Taiwan, China would have to consider not just one large American base, but its network.

Withdrawal of aviation from the attack. F-22s deployed to Tsukii Air Base in Japan F-22 Predator fighter jets of the US Air Force arrived at Tsuiki Air Base on Kyushu Island for the first time as part of a Sharp Sword exercise. The aircraft belongs to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base, Alaska. The transfer was made on October 19. The exercises continue until October 29. Kadana in Okinawa remains the main US aviation hub in the region and is closer to Taiwan. However, the high concentration of equipment makes it a priority target for Chinese ballistic and cruise missiles, which are capable of hitting runways, fuel depots and command posts. The deployment of the F-22 in Tsuki applies the concept of flexible use of agile combat employment - dispersing fighter jets over several air bases, which makes it difficult for China to plan its attack and increases the chance of maintaining the aviation's combat effectiveness after the first attacks. In a possible conflict over Taiwan, China would have to consider not just one large American base, but its network.