JAPANESE AIR SELF DEFENCE FORCE
The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force is one of the best equipped in the world. Its main asset are 8 F-15J squadrons, supported by 3 F-4EJ ones (one devoted to recce missions) and 2 F-1 ones, now transitioning to F-2. Eventually, 130 F-2 will replace both F-1s and F-4s.The "Blue Impulse" are the display team and have almost always flown Japanese-built aircraft (formerly F-1 and now T-4).
| WING | SQUADRON | BASE | AIRCRAFT | BADGE |
| 2nd | 201st | Chitose | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 2nd | 203rd | Chitose | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 3rd | 3th | Misawa | F-2 |  |
| 3rd | 8th | Misawa | F-4EJ |  |
| 5th | 301st | Nyutabaru | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 6th | 303rd | Komatsu | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 6th | 306th | Komatsu | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 7th | 204th | Hyakuri | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 7th | 305th | Hyakuri | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 8th | 6th | Tsuiki | F-1/2 |  |
| 8th | 304th | Tsuiki | F-15J/DJ |  |
| 83rd | 302th | Naha | F-4EJ |  |
| Independent | 501st | Hyakuri | RF-4E/EJ |  |
| BLUE IMPULSE | T-4 |  |
A fighter jock view of an F-15J taking off.
This F-4 was painted in black to celebrate 40 years of 8th wing.
Is that an F-16? No, just an F-2, the latest Japanese air marvel.
An empty back seat. What a shame! I bet a lot of us would be happy to take a ride with the Blue Impulse ;-)
Last updated 12/APR/03
