| 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 |
| 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.
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, was assigned to the squadron.
Tail marking
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.
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
References
- 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
- ^ 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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