US B-1B Lancer bombers have been deployed to Japan to strengthen deterrence efforts against China

For the first time since the Vietnam War, U.S. B-1B Lancer strategic bombers are being stationed in Japan for an extended duration. This deployment, part of a Bomber Task Force (BTF) rotation, represents a notable shift in the United States’ military strategy within the Indo-Pacific region. The bombers arrived at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan on April 15, 2025, after completing a joint mission with South Korean Air Force units over the Korean Peninsula. This move underscores Washington’s commitment to bolstering its alliance network in a region characterized by increasing strategic and military tensions.

The two B-1Bs stationed at Misawa belong to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and were deployed from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas as part of this rotation. Their arrival followed a collaborative training flight that included U.S. F-16s and both F-35s and F-16s from the Republic of Korea Air Force, highlighting a strong level of interoperability among allied air forces. While only two aircraft have been deployed at this stage, the possibility of additional bombers arriving remains, which would further strengthen the U.S. strategic air presence in this critical area for regional deterrence.

This deployment leverages the established capabilities of the B-1B Lancer, a long-range strategic bomber known for carrying the heaviest conventional payload of both guided and unguided munitions within the U.S. fleet. Initially developed in the 1980s, the aircraft boasts a blended wing-body design, variable-geometry wings, afterburning engines, and a structure optimized for durability. It can achieve supersonic speeds of Mach 1.2 while maintaining excellent maneuverability at various altitudes. Equipped with synthetic aperture radar, the B-1B can detect, track, and engage mobile targets in complex environments, as well as perform terrain-following flight at low altitudes. Its GPS-assisted inertial navigation system provides precise targeting without depending on ground-based systems. These features are further augmented by the Link-16 data link, facilitating real-time coordination with air command centers and allied platforms during high-stakes, time-sensitive strike operations.

Regarding armament, the B-1B can carry a maximum of 34 metric tons of munitions, which includes general-purpose bombs (Mk-82, Mk-84), cluster munitions (CBU-87, -89, -97), naval mines (Mk-62, Mk-65), precision-guided bombs (GBU-31, GBU-38, GBU-54), and long-range air-to-ground missiles (AGM-158 JASSM and AGM-158C LRASM). This versatile configuration allows it to undertake a broad spectrum of missions, ranging from large-scale conventional strikes to close air support and anti-ship operations. The aircraft is operated by a crew of four, comprising a pilot, copilot, and two weapon systems officers, and is designed to perform effectively in increasingly digital and distributed operational settings.

The survivability of the B-1B is significantly enhanced by a comprehensive array of electronic countermeasures, which includes the ALQ-161 jamming system, a radar warning receiver, and expendable countermeasures such as chaff and flares, along with an ALE-50 towed decoy system. When combined with its minimized radar cross-section, this technology allows the aircraft to navigate hostile airspace with greater resilience. Since 2011, the B-1B has been restricted to conventional operations due to its modification under the New START Treaty. This adjustment, which began in 2007, involved structural changes and the removal of certain electronic systems to ensure the aircraft could no longer deploy nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, the B-1B continues to be a vital component of the U.S. conventional strategic arsenal, having proven its effectiveness in various operations in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and more recently in the Middle East, where it has made significant contributions in terms of strike volume and accuracy.

While U.S. bombers have occasionally landed in Japan, this marks the first instance of a Bomber Task Force rotation establishing a sustained presence in the country. In February 2025, B-1Bs based in Guam performed a technical stop at Misawa for “hot-pit” refueling—refueling while the engines are running, sometimes accompanied by a crew change. This technique minimizes turnaround times and mitigates the risks associated with restarting complex systems, thereby enhancing operational efficiency in high-intensity situations. The implementation of this method indicates that Misawa Air Base is now fully integrated into the U.S. advanced force posture in the region.

The Bomber Task Force (BTF) concept was established in 2018 to transition from ongoing bomber deployments abroad to more adaptable, short-term rotations featuring small detachments for varying lengths of time. These rotations aim to familiarize aircrews with the theater, enhance collaboration with regional allies, and sustain a credible strategic presence forward. BTF operations are now regularly carried out in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including rotations at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, RAAF Amberley in Australia, and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. From these strategic locations, U.S. bombers engage in deterrent patrols, surveillance operations, and joint exercises, thereby strengthening their integration into regional security frameworks.

The current deployment to Misawa is part of a larger strategic initiative known as the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which was launched in 2021. This initiative aims to enhance the United States’ long-range strike capabilities in the Pacific, incorporating the deployment of cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missile systems, along with both manned and unmanned strike platforms. A crucial aspect of this strategy is the development of resilient precision-strike networks along the First Island Chain, which includes Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines—regions deemed essential for countering China’s expanding regional influence. Stationing B-1Bs in this area improves the U.S. capacity for rapid crisis response while also increasing the likelihood of these assets being targeted on the ground during significant conflicts.

From Misawa, the bombers gain operational access to the Second Island Chain, which includes Guam and eastern Indonesia, thereby enhancing strategic options for potential redeployment or withdrawal as the regional security landscape changes. In this regard, the B-1B’s maritime strike capabilities are particularly significant. With the addition of the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), the aircraft is now capable of executing precise strikes on naval targets. This shift in doctrine corresponds with a larger strategic move towards anti-access and area-denial operations, particularly in contested regions like the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Even as the B-1B nears the end of its operational lifespan, it continues to serve as a flexible asset for conventional deterrence in both maritime and land-based contexts.

The BTF 25-2 mission at Misawa represents a calculated and strategic initiative by the United States to reinforce its commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific while bolstering the confidence of its regional partners. Lt. Col. Christopher Travelstead, Director of Operations for the deployed 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, stated that such missions ensure U.S. crews are always ready to respond to defend national interests and maintain a rules-based order in the region. While the length of the B-1B’s deployment at Misawa is currently unspecified, it clearly communicates a strong message to potential adversaries and underscores the adaptability of U.S. forces in a rapidly changing strategic environment.