Gps Coordinates / 33.993625,134.6189389
Japan Navy JMSDF 24th Flight Squadron VR Vehicles
Toyouracho, Komatsushima, Tokushima 773-0019, Japan
In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Fleet Air Force (Japanese: 航空集団, romanized: kōkū shūdan) is its naval aviation branch, responsible for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft and headquartered in Naval Air Facility Atsugi. As of 2012, it was equipped with over 200 fixed-wing aircraft and 150 helicopters. These aircraft operate from bases throughout Japan, as well as from the JMSDF's ships.
Gps Coordinates / 33.99352,134.61933
The JMSDF's first aircraft were 16 Lockheed P2V Neptune maritime patrol aircraft, which were provided to the force by the United States Navy in 1956. The US Navy also provided Japan with 60 Grumman S-2 Trackers from 1957. During the 1980s, the JMSDFs force of 82 Neptunes (most of which were the locally built Kawasaki P-2J variant) was replaced by about 100 Lockheed P-3 Orions. The JMSDF's first combat helicopters were the Mitsubishi HSS-2 (the Japanese variant of the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King). These helicopters were replaced by SH-60Js during the 1990s.
Link Location Gps / Gps Link 34.0047626 / Gps Link 34.0047441 / Gps Link 34.004365
Gps Coordinates / 34.0047626,134.6284486 / 34.0047441,134.6283283 / 34.004365,134.62859
The JMSDF is the only force to operate minesweeping helicopters other than the US Navy. The first helicopters used for this purpose were eight V-107As. These helicopters were replaced by eleven MH-53Es during the 1990s. Seven MCH-101 helicopters have been ordered to replace the MH-53Es, of which five had been delivered by mid-2012.
Link Location Gps / Gps Link 34.003725 / Gps Link 34.0052816 / Gps Link 33.9927818
Gps Coordinates / 34.003725,134.629335 / 34.0052816,134.6282938 / 33.9927818,134.618859
The Diet of Japan approved the modification of the ships of the Izumo-class to operate STOVL aircraft and in 2019 ordered 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs. The US Marine Corps will at first operate in cooperation their own F-35Bs to build up a Japanese capability to operate this type.
Link Location Gps / Gps Link 33.9930008 / Gps Link 33.9934819 / Gps Link 34.0059431
Gps Coordinates / 33.9930008,134.6178889 / 33.9934819,134.6188128 / 34.0059431,134.6280791
The Asahi Shimbun quotes Japan’s Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya “The Izumo-class aircraft carrier role is to strengthen the air defense in the Pacific Ocean and to ensure the safety of the Self-Defense Force pilots.” He also states, “There may be no runway available for the US aircraft in an emergency.
Gps Coordinates / 34.0048215,134.628357
I cannot say that the US F-35B should never be placed on an [JMSDF] escort vessel.” The current plan is for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate the aircraft once delivered.
Gps Coordinates / 34.006168,134.6278334
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations.
