The US Marines are deploying the F-35B VMFA-211 squadron to Iwakuni, strengthening their presence in the Indo-Pacific amid regional tensions.

Deployment of VMFA-211 squadron to Japan

On May 10, 2025, the US Marine Corps deployed VMFA-211 squadron to MCAS Iwakuni, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. This maneuver is part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), a mechanism that allows units based on US territory to be rotated regularly to strategic outposts in the Indo-Pacific region. This type of deployment aims to maintain a high level of operational readiness while consolidating deterrence capabilities against rival powers in the area. The choice of Iwakuni is not insignificant: the base already hosts several air units, including Japanese squadrons, which facilitates bilateral interactions. The VMFA-211’s forward positioning allows for greater responsiveness in the event of a local crisis and directly contributes to the US military’s assertiveness in a region that has become central to the Sino-US rivalry.

VMFA-211: a strategic unit

VMFA-211, nicknamed the “Wake Island Avengers,” is an air assault unit with a long history of service in the Pacific. Based at MCAS Yuma in Arizona, the squadron operates exclusively F-35B fighters and is one of the pillars of the Marine Corps’ carrier-based aviation. Its temporary integration into Marine Aircraft Group 12, already based in Iwakuni, strengthens the tactical coherence of the 1st Air Wing of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. The deployment of this unit to a tense area is not simply for training purposes: it is part of a strategy of active presence in the field. The VMFA-211 rotations also serve to test engagement conditions, logistical efficiency at forward bases, and coordination with Japanese allied forces. This strategy is in line with the Pentagon’s objectives of operational resilience and local dominance in the event of an asymmetric conflict in the South China Sea or near Taiwan.

The F-35B Lightning II: a technological asset

The F-35B is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) version of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Designed to operate from small platforms such as Wasp- and America-class amphibious assault ships, it can also use rough runways, including in island areas. The fighter is equipped with an AN/APG-81 AESA radar, a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, and advanced sensor fusion, giving the pilot superior tactical awareness. It can reach a speed of Mach 1.6 (approximately 1,975 km/h) and has a range of 865 kilometers without external refueling. Its armament includes AIM-120 and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, as well as GBU-32 or GBU-12 guided bombs. Its low radar signature and ability to carry out precision strikes from forward bases make it a key tool for dispersed maritime operations, particularly in theaters of operation where infrastructure is vulnerable or inaccessible.

The Unit Deployment Program (UDP)

Launched in the 1980s, the UDP addresses a logistical need: maintaining a constant presence in Asia without placing an excessive burden on military families. Unlike a permanent unit transfer, the UDP is based on six-month cycles in which squadrons are deployed from the United States to bases such as Iwakuni or Kadena. The objective is threefold: to train crews in a realistic environment, to relieve permanently based units, and to provide strategic depth in the Indo-Pacific region. The model is flexible and compatible with bilateral commitments between the United States and its partners, notably Japan and South Korea. The Marines thus maintain a high operational tempo without sacrificing the coherence of their chain of command. In the event of a crisis or rising tensions, this formula allows for immediate responsiveness and rapid expansion of US offensive capabilities, even in the absence of heavy infrastructure.

The geopolitical context in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region has become the main theater of military and strategic competition between the United States and China. Beijing is stepping up its maritime claims in the South China Sea, building bases on artificial reefs, and increasing air incursions around Taiwan. In response to this expansionist policy, Washington is strengthening its military alliances and adapting its capabilities. The deployment of VMFA-211 is not insignificant: it is part of a strategy of forward presence aimed at limiting China’s freedom of action in its immediate environment. The objective is clear: to deter any attempt to challenge the regional status quo, whether through the blocking of sea lanes, cyberattacks, or indirect military intervention. The United States considers the Indo-Pacific to be its number one strategic priority today, and the material and symbolic efforts undertaken in the region bear witness to this. The positioning of the F-35B is one of the levers of this strategy.

The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan

The treaty signed in 1960 between Tokyo and Washington formalizes a military alliance based on a mutual assistance clause. It authorizes the presence of US troops on the Japanese archipelago in exchange for a commitment to defend Japan in the event of an attack. This treaty has allowed for the permanent establishment of air and naval bases on Japanese soil, serving as anchor points for US forces in the Pacific. The deployment of the VMFA-211 squadron falls directly within this legal framework. Over the decades, the text has been reinterpreted to allow for joint operations, joint exercises, and closer technological cooperation. In a context where Japan is strengthening its military capabilities, notably through the purchase of F-35As and the overhaul of its defense doctrine, this treaty is taking on a more active dimension. The geographical proximity to Taiwan and the Korean peninsula gives this alliance immediate operational significance.

Implications for regional security

The arrival of VMFA-211 in Iwakuni sends a strategic signal to all regional players. For allies such as Australia, the Philippines, and South Korea, it reinforces the credibility of US deterrence and the assurance of rapid support in the event of aggression. For China, this move signals an explicit willingness to resist unilateral changes to maritime boundaries or political alignment imposed by force. The F-35B is not just a combat platform: it is a vehicle for projection, intelligence, and coordination. By integrating this aircraft into the regional system, the US is strengthening its ability to operate in coalition. This positioning also contributes to the rise of doctrines such as “defensive archipelagos,” in which each island becomes a bridgehead equipped with air, logistical, and anti-aircraft support. The deployment is not passive; it is a calibrated mechanism designed to constrain and, if necessary, engage.

The deployment of VMFA-211 to Japan illustrates the US strategy of maintaining a robust military presence in the Indo-Pacific. With the F-35B, the Marines have a versatile tool suited to contemporary challenges. In a tense geopolitical context, this operation strengthens ties between the United States and Japan and contributes to regional security.

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