F-15E Lands Safely at Kadena Missing Wheel, Air Force Begins Inspections

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron safely conducted an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, after losing a wheel mid-flight during its return from U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. The missing wheel was found and recovered at Diego Garcia, and the aircraft landed with sparks and smoke but without injury to the two airmen aboard. In response, Kadena's 18th Wing has initiated safety inspections on all F-15Es deployed there, with plans for them to return to flight status immediately after. Brig. Gen. John Gallemore praised the aircrew's professionalism and the readiness of emergency and safety teams during the incident. This event adds to a recent history of tire and landing gear issues at Kadena involving F-15E and F-22 aircraft, underscoring ongoing operational challenges. The runway at Kadena was inspected and declared fully operational following the landing.