603rd Squadron (JASDF)

603rd Squadron
第603飛行隊
Active April 20, 2014
Country Japan
Allegiance AEW Surveillance Group (JASDF)
Branch Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Garrison/HQ Naha Air Base
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye

The 第603飛行隊 (603rd Squadron, dai-roku-zero-san-hikoutai) is a squadron of the Airborne Early Warning Surveillance Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[1][2] It is equipped with Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.[3]

History

In the early 2010s the amount of air activity by China near Okinawa increased dramatically after Japan effectively nationalized the disputed Senkaku Islands, sparking a major backlash from China. Beginning in 2012 E-2C aircraft began deploying to Naha air base, and in 2014 the squadron was officially formed.[4][5]

The unit was formed by taking around 130 personnel[6] and four of the JASDF's 13 E-2C aircraft from 601st Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.[7][8][9][10]

On April 12, 2015 one of the squadron's aircraft made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base due to electrical problems.[11]

Tail markings

Unlike many other JASDF squadrons, the squadron's aircraft generally have a marking on their forward fuselage instead of on the tail. The marking is of a bat grasping lightning bolts, retained from the aircraft's time with the 601st Squadron.[12]

Aircraft operated

References

  1. ↑ 航空自衛隊 那覇基地(第9航空団司令部 基地渉外室) Retrieved September 26, 2017 (in Japanese)
  2. ↑ Japan Air Self-Defense Force Retrieved September 26, 2017
  3. ↑ Thompson, Paul JASDF – Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 26, 2017
  4. ↑ Tan, Andrew T.H. Security and Conflict in East Asia page 154 Retrieved September 26, 2017
  5. ↑ Pacific Security and the E-2D 2014 Washington Security Forum Retrieved September 26, 2017
  6. ↑ Burke, Matthew M & Sumida, Chiyomi Japan puts early-warning aircraft on Okinawa amid China's moves May 2, 2017 Stars and Stripes Retrieved September 26, 2017
  7. ↑ New AWACS unit launched in Naha April 20, 2014 Japan Times Retrieved September 26, 2017
  8. ↑ Japan boosts surveillance against China with new E-2C Hawkeye squadron April 22, 2014 Air Force Technology Retrieved September 26, 2017
  9. ↑ Donald, David Japan Bolsters Southern Air Defenses April 22, 2014 Retrieved September 26, 2017
  10. ↑ JASDF initiates AWACS squadron in Okinawa April 23, 2014 Retrieved September 26, 2017
  11. ↑ Grumman E-2C Hawkeye incident 12 April 2015 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved September 26, 2017
  12. ↑ マーキング Retrieved September 26, 2017 (in Japanese)
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