306th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)

The 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron (第306飛行隊 (dai-sann-byaku-roku-hikoutai)) is a squadron of the 6th Air Wing [ja] 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 [ja], 6th Air Wing [ja]
Garrison/HQ	Komatsu Air Base
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ
Trainer	Kawasaki T-4

This article is about the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Squadron. For the inactive US Air Force Squadron, see 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

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.^[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

Tail marking (2016)

The squadron's aircraft carry a golden eagle as their tail marking, inside a stylized "6" indicating the 6th Air Wing [ja]. 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

• McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1981–1989)
• McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1989–1997)
• Mitsubishi F-15J (1997–present)

Liaison aircraft

• Lockheed T-33A (1981–1994)
• Kawasaki T-4 (1992–present)

See also

• Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force

References

1. Thompson, Paul JASDF – Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
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. JASDF crew chiefs in action Retrieved September 20, 2017
5. North Korea, Beware! F-15 Practice Armada Assembles in Alaska August 19, 2013 War Is Boring Retrieved September 20, 2017
6. RED FLAG-Alaska 15-3 officially begins at Eielson August 11, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
7. Stunning air-to-air photography from Cope North 2015 February 20, 2015 Retrieved September 20, 2017
8. Exercise Cope North 2016 Alert 5 Retrieved September 20, 2017]
9. "US, Japan bomber-fighter integration training showcases strength of alliance". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
10. 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.
11. "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)