305th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron
| native_name = 第305飛行隊
| image =File:Japan air self defense force Mitsubishi F-15J 305SQ 20th anniv. RJAH.jpg
| alt =
| caption = 305 Squadron Mitsubishi F-15J (2012)
| dates = 1 December 1978-present
| country = {{flag|Japan}}
| countries =
| allegiance =
| branch = {{Air force|Japan}}
| type =
| role =
| size =
| command_structure = Western Air Defense Force, 5th Air Wing
| garrison = Nyutabaru Air Base
| garrison_label =
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto =
| colors =
| colors_label =
| march =
| mascot =
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| flying_hours =
| website =
| current_commander =
| commander1_label =
| commander2 =
| commander2_label =
| commander3 =
| commander3_label =
| commander4 =
| commander4_label =
| commander5 =
| commander5_label =
| commander6 =
| commander6_label =
| commander7 =
| commander7_label =
| commander8 =
| commander8_label =
| commander9 =
| commander9_label =
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
| identification_symbol_3 =
| identification_symbol_3_label =
| identification_symbol_4 =
| identification_symbol_4_label =
| identification_symbol_5 =
| identification_symbol_5_label =
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =Mitsubishi F-15J
| aircraft_helicopter =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_transport =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer =Kawasaki T-4
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_general =
}}
The 305th Tactical Fighter Squadron ({{nihongo|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. Thompson, Paul [http://www.j-hangarspace.jp/jasdf-order-of-battle JASDF - Order of Battle July 1, 2017] J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 17, 2017 Thompson, Paul [http://www.j-hangarspace.jp/jasdf-squadron-histories JASDF - Squadron Histories] J-HangarSpace Retrieved September 14, 2017
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, [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/08/24/national/japan-sees-first-woman-qualify-f-15-fighter-jet-pilot/#.W4gFeS2B2i4 Japan sees first woman qualify as fighter jet pilot August 24, 2018] Japan Times Retrieved August 30, 2018 was assigned to the squadron. Thompson, Paul [http://www.j-hangarspace.jp/bulletin-board Bulletin Board] J-HangarSpace Retrieved August 30, 2018
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
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{Japan Air Self-Defense Force}}
Category:Units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force