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 (JASDF) based at Komatsu Air Base, in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.[1][2]
| 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 第306飛行隊 | |
 306 Squadron Mitsubishi F-15s (2009) | |
| Active | June 30, 1981-present |
| 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 |
History
editThe 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.[1]
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,[4] 2013-3,[5] and 2015-3.[6] It also participated in Cope North including in 1986, 2015[7] and 2016.[8]
In July 2018 aircraft of the squadron trained in Japanese airspace with US B-52 bombers.[9][10][11]
Tail marking
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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
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Fighter aircraft
edit- McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1981–1989)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1989–1997)
- Mitsubishi F-15J (1997–present)
Liaison aircraft
edit- Lockheed T-33A (1981–1994)
- Kawasaki T-4 (1992–present)
See also
editReferences
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- ^ a b 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 17, 2017
- ^ 17-8440 McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Retrieved September 28, 2017
- ^ JASDF crew chiefs in action Retrieved September 20, 2017
- ^ North Korea, Beware! F-15 Practice Armada Assembles in Alaska August 19, 2013 War Is Boring Retrieved September 20, 2017
- ^ RED FLAG-Alaska 15-3 officially begins at Eielson August 11, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
- ^ Stunning air-to-air photography from Cope North 2015 February 20, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
- ^ Exercise Cope North 2016 Alert 5 Retrieved September 20, 2017]
- ^ "US, Japan bomber-fighter integration training showcases strength of alliance". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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)