306th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)

306th Tactical Fighter Squadron
第306飛行隊
306 Squadron Mitsubishi F-15s (2009)
Active June 30, 1981
Country  Japan
Branch  Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Part of Central Air Defense Force, 6th Air Wing
Garrison/HQ Komatsu Air Base
Aircraft flown
Fighter Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ
Trainer Kawasaki T-4

The 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron (第306飛行隊 (dai-sann-byaku-roku-hikoutai)) is a squadron of the 6th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JSDAF) based at Komatsu Air Base, in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.[1][2]

History

The 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron was founded on at Hyakuri Air Base on December 1, 1981 with F-4EJ aircraft. The squadron was the successor to the Lockheed F-104J/DJ Starfighter-equipped 205th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was the sixth and final squadron of the JASDF to be equipped with the F-4. One of the aircraft (17–8440) was the last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on May 21, 1981. "The Final Phantom" later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron.[3] In 1989 the squadron's aircraft were upgraded to F-4EJ Kai standard. In 1997 it converted from the F-4 and became the eighth and final of the F-15J squadrons existing at that time.[4]

The squadron has participated in overseas exercises with US and other forces. 306th squadron aircraft have taken part in the Red Flag - Alaska exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in the United States on a number of occasions, including 2012–2,[5] 2013-3,[6] and 2015-3.[7]. It also participated in Cope North including in 1986, 2015[8] and 2016.[9]

In July 2018 aircraft of the squadron trained in Japanese airspace with US B-52 bombers.[10][11][12]

Tail marking

Tail marking (2016)

The squadron's aircraft carry a golden eagle as their tail marking, inside a stylized "6" indicating the 6th Air Wing. The golden eagle can be found in the mountains near Komatsu air base, and is also the prefectural bird of Ishikawa.[2]

Aircraft operated

F-4EJ Kai. This aircraft was the very last of the 5,195 F-4s produced worldwide (1994)

Fighter aircraft

Liaison aircraft

See also

References

  1. ↑ Thompson, Paul JASDF – Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
  2. 1 2 Thompson, Paul JASDF – Squadron Histories J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
  3. ↑ 17-8440 McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Retrieved September 28, 2017
  4. ↑ Thompson, Paul JASDF – Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
  5. ↑ JASDF crew chiefs in action Retrieved September 20, 2017
  6. ↑ North Korea, Beware! F-15 Practice Armada Assembles in Alaska August 19, 2013 War Is Boring Retrieved September 20, 2017
  7. ↑ RED FLAG-Alaska 15-3 officially begins at Eielson August 11, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
  8. ↑ Stunning air-to-air photography from Cope North 2015 February 20, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
  9. ↑ Exercise Cope North 2016 Alert 5 Retrieved September 20, 2017]
  10. ↑ "US, Japan bomber-fighter integration training showcases strength of alliance". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Jesse (July 28, 2018). "ASDF trains with B-52 heavy bombers in rare joint drill amid thaw with North Korea". Japan Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  12. ↑ "米軍との共同訓練の実施について" (PDF). www.mod.go. Ministry of Defense. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018. (in Japanese)
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