Japan Navy really retires final UH-60J

In July 2024 we thought the Kaijyo Jieitai or Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) retired its last two operational UH-60J SAR helicopters in a ceremony during the Open House at Tateyama Air Base on 21 July 2024. However, it now transpires the two helicopters, 8975 and 8976, performed the last ever public demonstration flight and that one other UH-60J, 8979 was still operated from Iwo Jima by the Iwotou Koku Bunkentai, part of 21 Kokutai.

UH-60J 8979 was ferried to mainland Japan in the beginning of December and was officially decommissioned on 11 December 2024 during a non-public ceremony at Tateyama. The SAR helicopter was first noted at the factory in November 2003 and delivered to the JMSDF shortly thereafter. First sighting with an operational unit was in May 2004 when it was noted with Atsugi Kyuntai.

The nineteen UH-60Js built served the JMSDF since December 1991 and the fleet remained accident free.

As reported before, the JMSDF is only performing SAR duties from Iwo Jima, now using modified SH-60K helicopters. This modification is basically only removing the ASW equipment but that is not permanent. It should be possible to refit ASW equipment without difficulties. We believe four SH-60Ks have been modified, 8403, 8455, 8457 and 8461.

Credit photos: 海上自衛隊　第２１航空群 (@JMSDF_21aw)