The Japan AirSelf-DefenceForceA photo-feature by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Above: This 306Hikotai F-4 EJ Kaiis one of thoseexchanged by thesquadron for theF-15J in 1996/97.306 and 303 Hikotai(already an F-15unit) are based atKomatsu on thewestern coast ofJapan's mainisland, Honshu.

Centre left: Inaddition to theJASDF's baselineF-4EJs, the RF-4EJfleet has alsoundergone the Kaiupgradeprogramme. Thechief elements ofthis include a newTexas InstrumentsAN/APQ-172 radar(replacing theAPQ-99), IRlinescan, INS, newradios and digitalcockpit displays.

Left: The JASDFacrobatic team,'Blue Impulse', isbased atMatsushima AB,alongside theMitsubishi T-2 andregular KawasakiT-4 trainers of 21and 22 Hikotai.'Blue Impulse'transitioned fromthe T-2 to the T-4in 1995/96.

Right: TheJASDF's dedicatedaggressor force isthe Hiko Kyodotai,which flies F-15sfrom Nyutabaru,on the southern-most island ofKyushu. This unitswapped the T-2for the F-15.

Above: These F-4EJ Kais areflown by 302 Hikotai - thecombat element ofNanseiKoku Konseidan (SouthwesternComposite Air Division), basedat Naha AB, Okinawa. 302Hikotai also operates T-33Asand T-4s, for squadronliaison/support tasks. It sharesNaha with the Queen Airs andT-33As of a dedicated commandsupport flight unit.

Left: In June 1996, 306 Hikotaipainted up this F-4EJ Kai tomark the squadron's transitionto the F-15J - the last JASDFsquadron to make that change.

Below: 304 Hikotai is part of8 Kokudan (Air Wing), SeibuKoku Homentai (Western AirDefence Force), based at TsuikiAB on the northern coast ofKyushu. The squadron operatesF-15Js, with T-4s in support.

Above: Newly arrived F-15CJsformate with surviving F-4EJ Kaisof 306 Hikotai, in January 1997.Note the differences in schemesbetween the two Phantoms. TheF-4 remains an importantelement in the JASDF inventory,with over 100 on strength (plusnearly 40 RF-4EJ Kais).

Below: The HikoKyodotai operatesF-15DJs in theaggressor trainingrole. It shares itsNyutabaru basewith 202 Hikotai(F-15C/DJ)and301Hikotai (F-4EJ Kai).

Right: The black pantherbadge marks thisMitsubishi F-1 as anaircraft of 8 Hikotai(3 Kokudan), based atMisawa alongside sistersquadron 3 Hikotai. Bothunits operate F-1s, withT-2s and T-4s in support

Japan Air Self-Defence Force

Above: Tsuiki-based 6 Hikotai has themaritime attack role with theMitsubishi F-1, as part of 8 Kokudan,Western Air Defence Force. It ispictured here with an F-15CJ of 304Hikotai. 6 Hikotai transitioned to theF-1 from the F-86F in 1980; in 1990, 304transitioned from the F-4EJ to the F-15.

Left: 201 Hikotai (seen here) and 203Hikotai are part of the Chitose-based2 Kokudan. This wing, and Misawa-based 3 Kokudan, make up HokubuKoku Homentai (Northern AirDefence Force). The two squadrons of3 Kokudan both operate F-1s.

Below: These Mitsubishi F-1s of 3Hikotai (3 Kokudan) are armed withthe F-1's primary weapon, the Type 80ASM-1 anti-ship missile. The missileentered service in 1983 and has a50-km (31-mile) range with a 150-kg(330-lb) HE warhead.

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Above: The F-1 is thefirst type slated forreplacement by Japan'snew indigenous fighter,the F-2 (FS-X). In themeantime, it is likelythat some F-4EJ KaiPhantoms will bereroled to take over themaritime strike mission.

Below: Fuji'sveteran T-1 trainersurvives with 13Hiko Kokudan(Flying TrainingWing) at Asiya. Thefirst T-4s arrived atthis unit in 1996 andthe T-1 will havebeen retired by 1999.

Right: The JASDFordered 169 F-15CJsand44F-15DJs,andthe final deliveriesfrom Mitsubishi areimminent. Sevenfront-line units flyEagles (plus theHiko Kyodotai andthe JASDF test unit).

Above: Sengi Kenkyuhan ('BlueImpulse') is formally attached to 21Hikotai which is based alongside22 Hikotai as part of 4 Kokudan, atMatsushima. These two squadronsfly a mix of T-2s and T-4s. Alongwith 31 and 32 Hikotai (both flyingT-4s), 1 Kokudan, they make upthe JASDF's Koku Kyoku Shudan(Air Training Command),headquartered at Hamamatsu.

Left: The Mitsubishi F-2 (FS-X) isan advanced development of theBlock 40 F-16C, which will replacethe JASDF's F-1/T-2s. This, thefirst aircraft, made its maidenflight on 7 October 1995. Plans areto acquire 83 single-seat F-2s and58 F-2B trainers.

Right: Japan is a member ofthe exclusive club of nationswhich operate the Boeing747-400 as a transport for theirhead of state (the others arethe USA and Brunei). InJASDFservice two 747-47Csare operated by 701 Hikotai,based at Chitose, as the RinjiTokubetsu Koku Yusotai(Special Air Transport Group).

Below: Another Boeing type isunique to JASDF service - the£-767. The first of the JASDF'sfour AEW&C-con figured767-27CERs flew on 9 August1996 (with its radarinstallation in place). It willbe handed over in March 1998.

Above: The Fuji T-3 serves with 11 and12 Hikotai Kyoijudan, based atShizuhama and Hofu, respectively. TheT-3 is the JASDF's primary trainer andwas originally developed for the JMSDFas the KM-2 (itself based on the BeechT-34). A total of 50 was acquired from1978 and none has been lost.

Right: The Kawasaki T-4 isintended to replace theJASDF's remaining T-33s(approximately 40) and allits T-2s (85). Deliveriesbegan in 1988. The T-4 serveswith dedicated training unitsand front-line squadrons.

Above: The JASDF followed the USAF'slead and acquired the Raytheon BeechjetT-400 as a crew trainer. Ironically, theBeechjet was developed from Japan'sown Mitsubishi Diamond 'biz-jet'.

Right: The first T-4 made itsmaiden flight on 29 July1985 and is the collectiveproduct of Fuji, Mitsubishiand Kawasaki.

Above: Studies have commenced tofind a 'C-X' replacement for theKawasaki C-1 transport, whichentered service in 1973. Today, 27aircraft equip two squadrons.

Below: The first two of nine U-4s(Gulfstream IVs) on order weredelivered on 24 February 1997.The cargo door-equipped U-4swill replace Beech Queen Airs.

Japan Air Self-Defence Force

Above: A variety ofNAMC YS-11s soldieron with the JASDF. This is one of thehandful of basic transport Y5-11s thatserve with 402 Hikotai at Iruma, as partof 2 Yuso Kokutai (Air Transport Group).

Below: Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107sare in use with a single JASDFunit, the Koku Kyunandan (AirRescue Wing), which providesdetachments around the country.

Above: Heavily-modified Hawker 800s(BAe 125-800s) were acquired from1995 for maritime patrol and SARduties. A total of 27 (U-125As) hasbeen ordered. A navaid calibrationversion of the U-125 is also in use.

Below: A single EC-1 electronicwarfare support aircraft isoperated by the Denshi Kunrentai(EW/ECM flight) from Iruma AB.The same unit also flies anactive-duty YS-11E jammer.

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Above: Japan's 13 E-2C Hawkeyes areoperated by 601 Hikotai, based atMisawa. Like the other specialist EWor ECM units, this AEW&C squadronis a direct reporting element ofKokuSotai (Air Defence Command).

Below: Specially modifiedNAMC YS-11E/E-Kai/ELsact as EW aggressortrainers for other unitsand EW crew trainers intheir own right.

Above: The JASDF's dedicated SAR unit Below: The elongated nose, with search(Kpku Kyunandan) operates a large radar, marks this as one of 25 Mitsubishimixed fleet ofKV-107s, CH-47Js and, as Mu-2Ss in service. A smaller number (four)seen here, Mu-2Ss and UH-60Js. ofMu-2J calibration aircraft are also used.

Below: This rich mix of JASDF aircraft in formation includes a C-1 leading two F-4EJs(302 Hikotai), two T-2s, a single F-15CJ (304 Hikotai), two T-4s (early productionaircraft in TRDI/Hiko Keihatsu Jikkendan marks), and a T-33A.