305th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)
| 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 第305飛行隊 | |
 305 Squadron Mitsubishi F-15J (2012) | |
| Active | 1 December 1978-present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Part of | Western Air Defense Force, 5th Air Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Nyutabaru Air Base |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Col. Kobayashi Yoshiyuki[1] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Mitsubishi F-15J |
| Trainer | Kawasaki T-4 |
The 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron (第305飛行隊 (dai-sann-byaku-go-hikoutai)) is a squadron of the 5th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Nyutabaru Air Base, in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Mitsubishi F-15J and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.[2][3]
History
[edit]The squadron was founded on at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki Prefecture on December 1, 1978 with McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ aircraft at part of the 7th Air Wing. It replaced the 206th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was disbanded. During this period the JASDF followed a system in which the numbering of a squadron was dependent on the type of aircraft it operated. Single digit squadrons operated the F-86F, 100-numbered squadrons operated the F-86D, 200-numbered squadrons operated the F-104J and the new squadrons operating the F-4 were numbered in the 300s.
The squadron operated the F-4EJ for 15 years. On August 2, 1993 it upgraded to F-15J aircraft. On August 31 2016 it moved from Hyakuri Air Base to Nyutabaru Air Base, swapping with the F-4EJ Kai equipped 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, which moved to Hyakuri.
In August 2018 Misa Matsushima, the first female fighter pilot in the JASDF,[4] was assigned to the squadron.[5]
Tail marking
[edit]
The squadron's current tail marking is of a plum blossom over a Hinomaru. Kairaku-en park located in Mito near Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki Prefecture is famous for its hundreds of plum blossom trees. The squadron using a plum blossom as its tail marking also continues the tradition of its predecessor the 206th TFS. That squadron used a different plum blossom design on the tails of its aircraft.[3]
Aircraft operated
[edit]Fighter aircraft
[edit]- McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1978-1993)
- Mitsubishi F-15J (1993-present)
Liaison aircraft
[edit]- Lockheed T-33A (1978-1993)
- Kawasaki T-4 (1992-present)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^ Losey, Stephen (October 23, 2020). "The Bones are back: B-1s return to Guam". Air Force Times.
"The training proved to be a very good opportunity to improve tactical skills as well as to show our commitment to the robust Japan-U.S. alliance and the region," said Lt. Col. Kobayashi Yoshiyuki, commander of the Koku-Jieitai's 305th Fighter Squadron, in the release.
- ^ Thompson, Paul JASDF - Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
- ^ a b Thompson, Paul JASDF - Squadron Histories J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 14, 2017
- ^ Japan sees first woman qualify as fighter jet pilot August 24, 2018 Japan Times Retrieved August 30, 2018
- ^ Thompson, Paul Bulletin Board J-HangarSpace Retrieved August 30, 2018
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