Located about 370 miles away, Kadena Air Base on Japan's Okinawa Island is the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan. In addition to hosting a rotational fighter jet presence, the base serves as an operating hub for Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy drone fleets.
Given its location near the Taiwan Strait, Kadena has been considered a potential target for the Chinese military should the U.S. come to Taiwan's aid in the event of an invasion, as Beijing has threatened to use force to achieve reunification.
