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

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

Tail marking (2016)

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

Fighter aircraft

• McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1978-1993)
• Mitsubishi F-15J (1993-present)

Liaison aircraft

• Lockheed T-33A (1978-1993)
• Kawasaki T-4 (1992-present)

See also

• Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force

References

1. 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.
2. Thompson, Paul JASDF - Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017
3. Thompson, Paul JASDF - Squadron Histories J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 14, 2017
4. Japan sees first woman qualify as fighter jet pilot August 24, 2018 Japan Times Retrieved August 30, 2018
5. Thompson, Paul Bulletin Board J-HangarSpace Retrieved August 30, 2018