The United States Air Force has had a strong presence in Japan since the service's founding. Today, are centralized among three major air bases in that country: Misawa Air Base in the northern Japan, Yokota Air Base in central Japan, and the sprawling Kadena Air Base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

F-16s, F-15s, C-130s, KC-135s, HH-60s, UH-1s, and C-12s make up the core of the permanently based USAF aircraft in Japan, but almost everything in the Air Force's fleet has operated out of Japan at one time or another. Additionally, of manned reconnaissance and fighter aircraft are based at Kadena. Additionally, Misawa is known to host the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

Andersen AFB is located on the island of Guam, about two thirds of the way between Hawaii and…

Along with their Pacific Air Forces brethren based in Korea, assets located in Japan are seen as the USAF's 'tip of the spear' in a region that is becoming increasingly critical and volatile. The accelerated rise of China in particular has put some countries on edge and has led to heightening of tensions over territorial claims. In regards to Japan, the biggest crisis at the moment is the burgeoning friction between it and China over the Additionally, North Korea continues with its nuclear weapons development programs and has been increasingly ambiguous as their young leader and his cadre attempt to consolidate their power.

The idea of a Coast Guard is one that has blurred in recent decades, with US Coast Guard vessels…

As the US military continues with, the USAF's three main bases in Japan will only become more critical and valued when it comes to America's ability to project power in the region. Meanwhile, these same bases' very existence will also provide a continuing source of unease among

China's tenth annual International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhahai kicked off this…

Regardless of the geopolitical factors surrounding the USAF's presence in Japan, the things our airman and their gear do in and around that country are truly amazing. So sit back and enjoy some of the marvelous sights of the 'Boys In Blue' (and Gals!) operating some of the most fascinating flying machines on earth in the land of rising sun:

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All photos via the Department of Defense/USAF