Not the most interesting photo, this 3 Kokutai P-3C, but the Orion is still the most numerous type in service with the JMSDF. Unfortunately the Orions lost their colourful squadron markings starting shortly after the turn of the century. Until recently nine operational squadrons as well as one test squadron (51 Kokutai) and one training squadron (203 Kyoiku Kokutai) operated the P-3, however one (8 Kokutai) was disbanded in March 2001. After the reorganisations that took place in March 2008 only four frontline P-3 squadrons remained and two of these are now operating the Kawasaki P-1.

Atsugi, 17 April 2010, Hans Rolink

Atsugi (RJTA)

RWY 01/19     POS 35°27'17"N 139°27'01"E     ELEV 205 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

4 Kokugun
4th Fleet Air Wing
3 Kokutai
31 Hikotai P-1 3


32 Hikotai P-1 3
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

31 Kokugun
31st Fleet Air Wing
51 Kokutai
511 Hikotai P-1
UP-1
P-3C
UP-3C
51


513 Hikotai SH-60J
SH-60K
SH-60L
51

61 Kokutai
LC-90
C-130R
61
Overhaul facilities
NIPPI Corporation
NIPPI Aircraft Maintenance Division Overhaul on:
P-3 all variants
3 Kokutai has radio call-sign SeaEagle.
51 Kokutai use radio call-sign Frontier and Peacock.

Much more interesting is this one of a kind UP-3C operated by 51 Kokutai for all sorts of test and evaluation flights. The dedicated test squadron is also operating a handful of normal Orions but this special version remains the most colourful, although it also lost the finflash of 51 Kokutai.

Atsugi, 19 April 2010, Menno Teunisse

The first XP-1 in a red/white colour-scheme which is usual for all Japanese prototypes. During the first half of 2015 it was modified to UP-1 configuration and re-serialled 9501.

Atsugi, 19 April 2010, Menno Teunisse

Gifu (RJNG)

RWY 10/28     POS 35°23'39"N 136°52'08"E     ELEV 128 ft

Miscellaneous Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge

Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kawasaki Gifu Overhaul on:
CH-101
MCH-101
P-3 all variants
Hachinohe (RJSH)

RWY 07/25     POS 40°33'07"N 141°28'02"E     ELEV 152 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

2 Kokugun
2nd Fleet Air Wing
2 Kokutai
21 Hikotai P-3C 2


22 Hikotai P-3C 2
2 Kokutai has radio call-sign Odin.

Two other boring grey Orions, in front 5001, the first ever JMSDF Orion with 2 Kokutai marks and next to it an unmarked example. The first three are real Lockheed Orions, built in the States, all other Japanese versions were manufactured under licence by Kawasaki at Gifu and with their own construction number range. Initially overhaul was performed at Kawasaki-Gifu, however in recent years this all shifted to Atsugi with Nippi Industries. In April 2009, the JMSDF started withdrawing the first examples in the fleet and P-3C 5002 was scrapped in October of that year, many more were to follow.

Hachinohe April 2010, Menno Teunisse

Iwakuni (RJOI)

RWY 02/20     POS 34°08'42"N 132°14'49"E     ELEV 10ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

31 Kokugun
31st Fleet Air Wing
71 Kokutai
US-2 71

81 Kokutai
811 Hikotai EP-3
OP-3C
81


812 Hikotai UP-3D
U-36A
81

111 Kokutai
MCH-101
CH-101
111
91 Kokutai was disbanded on 30 September 2020 and reformed as 812 Hikotai the next day.

The replacement for the US-1A. Originally flown as the US-1A Kai, a modernised version of the original, it is now in low rate production as the US-2. This example is the second frame and pictured here still in test colour scheme. The first one had the "standard" red/white prototype scheme but today all US-2s are in the midnight blue c/s, making it a little less impressive in my opinion.

Iwakuni, 12 September 2008, Mori Masayoshi

The Japanese Navy acquired six Learjet 36s in the period 1988-1993 for target duties, two examples were lost in accidents since. All U-36As were part of the mixed fleet of 91 Kokutai, the other type being the UP-3D Orion. In 2020 the two special mission units (81 and 91 Kokutai) were combined and 91 Kokutai became 812 Hikotai, one of two subordinate units of surviving 81 Kokutai.

Iwakuni, Marcel J. van Bielder

Iwoto (RJAW)

RWY 07/25     POS 24°47'02"N 141°19'22"E     ELEV 378 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

21 Kokugun
21st Fleet Air Wing
21 Kokutai
Iwotou Koku Bunkentai SH-60K (SAR mod) 21
Bunkentai = detachment
Kanoya (RJFY)

RWY 08L/26R, 08R/26L     POS 31°22'05"N 130°50'17"E     ELEV 214 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

1 Kokugun
1st Fleet Air Wing
1 Kokutai
11 Hikotai P-1 1


12 Hikotai P-1 1
Kyoiku Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Training Command
Ozuki Kyoiku Kokugun
211 Kyoiku Kokutai TH-135
211


212 Kyoiku Kokutai SH-60K 212
1 Kokutai has radio call-sign Jupiter.

The replacement for the OH-6D/DA is this Eurocopter EC-135 named TH-135 in Japanese service. As can be seen on the tail, it was still on strength of 51 Kokutai, the dedicated test squadron but operating from Kanoya in preparation for transfer. By October 2010, the first TH-135 was seen operating with 211 Kyoiku Kokutai markings and by the end 2015, all fifteen had been delivered.

Kanoya, 11 April 2010, Menno Teunisse

Komatsushima (RJOP)

RWY 17/35     POS 34°00'19"N 134°37'35"E     ELEV 85ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

22 Kokugun
22nd Fleet Air Wing
24 Kokutai
241 Hikotai SH-60K 24

The SH-60J was the successor of the HSS-2B in the ship borne ASW role. Currently the fleet of SH-60Js is mostly replaced by the SH-60K. Five Kokutais were equipped with the Seahawk being the 21 Kokutai at Tateyama, 22 Kokutai at Omura, 23 Kokutai at Manazuru, 24 Kokutai at Komatsushima and 25 Kokutai at Ominato. Now only 22 and 24 Kokutai operate the remainder of the fleet. This three-shipper was performing at the Tateyama open day of 2008 and are all in the old colour scheme.

Tateyama, 12 October 2008, Mori Masayoshi

Maizuru (RJBM)

RWY 12/30     POS 35°29'25"N 135°22'38"E     ELEV 19 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

21 Kokugun
21st Fleet Air Wing
23 Kokutai
231 Hikotai SH-60K 23
23 Kokutai ended SH-60J operations in March 2015.
Nagoya (RJNA)

RWY 16/34     POS 35°15'18"N 136°55'28"E     ELEV 46 ft

Miscellaneous Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Overhaul facilities
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Komaki Overhaul on:
SH-60J/K
UH-60J
Naha (ROAH)

RWY 18/36     POS 26°11'45"N 127°38'45"E     ELEV 12 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

5 Kokugun
5th Fleet Air Wing
5 Kokutai
51 Hikotai P-3C 5


52 Hikotai P-3C 5


The visitors terrace at Naha is a good spot to get most of the based 5 Kokutai Orions. The loss of their colourful tailmarkings make these aircraft a lot less atractive, some even say 'you've seen one you've seen them all' but this is not entirely true. The JMSDF operates the P-3C with at least two different modifications besides the standard version. As can be seen on this photo, the 5089 has a big bulge on the top of the fuselage. Another mod. has a smaller bulge on the same place and some remain, at least on the outside in the old configuration.

Naha January 2010, Reinier Schreurs

Ominato (RJSO)

RWY 04/22     POS 41°13'58"N 141°07'56"E     ELEV 24 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

21 Kokugun
21st Fleet Air Wing
25 Kokutai
251 Hikotai SH-60K 25
On 2 April 2018 the Ominato Koku Bunkentai was disbanded.
Omura (RJDU)

RWY 18/36     POS 32°55'41"N 129°56'03"E     ELEV 19 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

22 Kokugun
22nd Fleet Air Wing
22 Kokutai
221 Hikotai SH-60K
22


222 Hikotai SH-60K 22


223 Hikotai SH-60J 22

Seen departing Komaki at the end of the Open Day is this 23 Kokutai SH-60J, heading for home at Maizuru, a base rarely visited by spotters as it is a bit off the beaten track. 23 Kokutai is the third unit to transition to the SH-60K. SH-60J operations ended in March 2015. The SH-60J in this picture is in the 'new' overall grey colour scheme as opposed to the original 'old' white/grey colours.

Komaki, 10 October 2009, Michiel Vermeer

The successor of the SH-60J, developed by Mitsubishi is the slightly longer SH-60K. Other changes include next generation rotortips and a more square observers window compared to the round bubble of the J version. 22 Kokutai was the second unit receiving this variant and this example is seen arriving at Tsuiki to take its place in the static.

Tsuiki 23 November 2008, Marcel J. van Bielder

Ozuki (RJOZ)

RWY 12/30, 17/35     POS 34°02'49"N 131°03'08"E     ELEV 13ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Kyoiku Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Training Command
Ozuki Kyoiku Kokugun
201 Kyoiku Kokutai T-5 201
Sendai (RJSS)

RWY 09/27, 12/30     POS 38°08'23"N 140°55'01"E     ELEV 6 ft

Miscellaneous Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Overhaul facilities
JAMCO
JAMCO Sendai Overhaul on:
TC-90
Shimofusa (RJTL)

RWY 01/19     POS 35°47'56"N 140°00'44"E     ELEV 98 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Kyoiku Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Training Command
Shimofusa Kyoiku Kokugun
203 Kyoiku Kokutai P-3C 203

One of the last Orion units with some distinctive tail markings was the training squadron 203 Kokutai. Unfortunately it also lost the finflash during 2011.

Shimofusa, Marcel J. van Bielder

Tateyama (RJTE)

RWY 09/27     POS 34°59'15"N 139°49'55"E     ELEV 10 ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Force

21 Kokugun
21st Fleet Air Wing
21 Kokutai
211 Hikotai SH-60K
21


212 Hikotai SH-60K 21

The first operational unit to receive the SH-60K during 2006 was 121 Kokutai, now part of 21 Kokutai. This one is receiving the cold shower treatment to get rid of any salty deposits. The white herons in the trees in the background probably see this scene everyday.

Tateyama, 12 October 2008, Mori Masayoshi

Tokushima (RJOS)

RWY 11/29     POS 34°07'56"N 134°36'33"E     ELEV 37ft

Top Level Kokugun/Kokutai Kokutai/Hikotai Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Kyoiku Koku Shudan
Fleet Air Training Command
Tokushima Kyoiku Kokugun
202 Kyoiku Kokutai TC-90 202
Utsunomiya (RJTU)

RWY 01/19     POS 36°30'52"N 139°52'15"E     ELEV 334 ft

Miscellaneous Wing Squadron Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge
Overhaul facilities
Subaru Corporation
Subaru Aerospace Company Overhaul on:
T-5

To maintain a presence in the Arctic regions, Japan regularly sends its Polar Icebreaker Shirase to those shores. AGB-5003 is the third ship with that name, commissioned last year and is able to carry two CH-101s. Its predecessor, the S-61A was retired in 2008 and was operating with 21 Kokutai at Tateyama when not aboard the Chirase, the CH-101 is flying from Iwakuni with 111 Kokutai.

Iwakuni, 12 September 2008, Mori Masayoshi

JMSDF Ships with helicopters assigned. (Ship)
Class/Type Pennant no/Name Aircraft Type(s) Tail no. Badge

Mogami/Stealth frigate
FFM-1/JS Mogami SH-60K/L


FFM-2/JS Kumano SH-60K/L


FFM-3/JS Noshiro SH-60K/L


FFM-4/JS Mikuma SH-60K/L


FFM-5/JS Yahagi to be commissioned dec23
1x SH-60K/L


FFM-6/JS Agano to be commissioned mar24
1x SH-60K/L

Murasame/Large frigate
DD-101/JS Murasame 1x SH-60J/K


DD-102/JS Harusame 1x SH-60J/K


DD-103/JS Yudashi 1x SH-60J/K


DD-104/JS Kirisame 1x SH-60J/K


DD-105/JS Inazuma 1x SH-60J/K


DD-106/JS Samidare 1x SH-60J/K


DD-107/JS Ikazuchi 1x SH-60J/K


DD-108/JS Akebono 1x SH-60J/K


DD-109/JS Ariake 1x SH-60J/K

Takanami/Destroyer
DD-110/JS Takanami 1x SH-60J/K


DD-111/JS Onami 1x SH-60J/K


DD-112/JS Makinami 1x SH-60J/K


DD-113/JS Sazanami 1x SH-60J/K


DD-114/JS Suzunami 1x SH-60J/K

Akizuki/Destroyer
DD-115/JS Akizuki 1x SH-60J/K


DD-116/JS Teruzuki 1x SH-60J/K


DD-117/JS Suzutsuki 1x SH-60J/K


DD-118/JS Fuyuzuki 1x SH-60J/K

Asahi/Destroyer
DD-119/JS Asahi 1x SH-60K


DD-120/JS Shiranui 1x SH-60K

Asagiri/Frigate
DD-151/JS Asagiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-152/JS Yamagiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-153/JS Yuugiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-154/JS Amagiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-155/JS Hamagiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-156/JS Setogiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-157/JS Sawagiri 1x SH-60J/K


DD-158/JS Umigiri 1x SH-60J/K

Atago/Aegis destroyer
DDG-177/JS Atago 1x SH-60J/K


DDG-178/JS Ashigara 1x SH-60J/K

Maya/Aegis destroyer
DDG-179/JS Maya 1x SH-60J/K


DDG-180/JS Haguro 1x SH-60J/K

Hyuga/Helicopter carrier
DDH-181/JS Hyuga 11x SH-60J/K


DDH-182/JS Ise 11x SH-60J/K

Izumo/Helicopter Carrier
DDH-183/JS Izumo 14x SH-60J/K
Being modified for F-35B


DDH-184/JS Kaga 14x SH-60J/K
Being modified for F-35B

Uraga/Mine countermeasures support ship
MST-463/JS Uraga MCH-101


MST-464/JS Bungo MCH-101

Hatsuyuki/Training Vessel (ex Frigate)
TV-3513(ex DD-133)/JS Shimmayuki 1x SH-60J/K


TV-3517(ex DD-123)/JS Shirayuki 1x SH-60J/K


TV-3518(ex DD-131)/JS Setoyuki 1x SH-60J/K


TV-3519(ex DD-129)/JS Yamayuki 1x SH-60J/K

Ōsumi/Dock landing ship
LST-4001/JS Ōsumi max. 8x SH-60K


LST-4002/JS Shimokita max. 8x SH-60K


LST-4003/JS Kunisaki max. 8x SH-60K

Shirase/Polar icebreaker
AGB-5003/JS Shirase 2x CH-101

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