The Tokyo Express (東京急行, Tōkyō kyūkō) is a term for regular flights by Soviet (and later Russian) military aircraft past Japan.
They sometimes involve violations of Japanese airspace and have often been intercepted by fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
After the Cold War ended Russia dramatically reduced its flights and stopped using Cam Ranh base.
As of 2015 Russian aircraft have begun using Cam Ranh Base again, including for Il-78 tankers to support bomber flights in the Pacific.
[6] Since 2019, the People's Liberation Army Air Force has also joined this operation, mainly using Xian H-6 and Shenyang J-16 to fly with the Russian fleet.