F-15E Lands Safely in Japan After Losing Wheel Mid-Flight

In a feat of skill and composure, an F-15E Strike Eagle safely landed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, on August 4—despite missing one of its landing gear wheels.

The two-man crew aboard the fighter jet walked away unharmed, thanks to a controlled emergency landing following a long flight from the remote U.S. Naval Support Facility at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. According to the 18th Wing at Kadena, the aircraft’s missing wheel was discovered mid-flight and later recovered from the runway at Diego Garcia.

The Strike Eagle touched down at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, where emergency personnel were already standing by. The Air Force has yet to release details on the type of landing executed or the extent of damage to the aircraft, but a safety investigation is underway.

A High-Stakes Flight Across the Indo-Pacific

This F-15E was one of several deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina as part of a rotational presence at Kadena, which is currently transitioning to newer F-15EX aircraft. The fighters had been operating from Diego Garcia to provide force protection for the island, which has seen increased strategic use in recent months—including deployments of B-2 and B-52 bombers aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on shipping and signaling readiness to Iran.

The missing wheel incident recalls other dramatic landings in U.S. Air Force history. In 2022, an F-16 pilot safely landed after losing a main wheel during takeoff. In 2017, an A-10 pilot landed without a canopy or functioning landing gear. These moments underscore the exceptional training and calm under pressure that American military aviators are known for.

While the Air Force has yet to say which wheel detached, the outcome is a testament to the aircraft’s rugged design—and the pilot’s steady hands.