ItAF.

This is coolbert:

OPLAN Japan the Italian Air Force. Italians? Japan?

The Italian air force ItAF projects power worldwide.

My intuition tells me this is more about China than anything else.

"Four Italian F-35 Jets Have Arrived In Japan Completing A +10,000 Km [+6,000 miles] Trip From Italy"

From https://theaviationist.com | the article by DAVID CENCIOTTI | August 4, 2023.

"After being delayed by a typhoon, the Italian Air Force F-35 aircraft have finally arrived in Japan."

"At 21.20 LT [local time] on Aug. 4, 2023, four F-35As with the 32° Stormo (Wing) from Amendola Air Base and 6° Stormo from Ghedi Air Base have landed at Komatsu Air Base, Japan."

Italian F-35 Lightning jets accompanied by tanker, airborne early warning [AEW] and logistical support warplanes. Soup to nuts type mission.

"In the next days the Italian stealth aircraft will take part in joint training with the local based F-15s of the 6th Air Wing, that will also be supported by the KC-767 tankers of the 1st Tactical Airlift Group to improve tactical skills and promote mutual understanding, and further deepen defense cooperation."

CONSIDER THIS MILITARY EXERCISE TO BE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE TO BE A MESSAGE AS FOR CHINESE CONSUMPTION. 

Loosely united coalition of nations seeking to deter perceived Chinese expansive designs in the area. Defense cooperation the Far East Italian style. Who would have thought.

See previous German Luftwaffe deployment to Japan 2022.

coolbert.