306th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron
| native_name = 第306飛行隊
| image =File:Two Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15 jets.jpg
| alt =
| caption = 306 Squadron Mitsubishi F-15s (2009)
| dates = June 30, 1981-present
| country = {{flag|Japan}}
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| branch = {{Air force|Japan}}
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| command_structure = {{ill|Central Air Defense Force (JASDF)|lt=Central Air Defense Force|ja|中部航空方面隊}}, {{ill|6th Air Wing (JASDF)|lt=6th Air Wing|ja|第6航空団}}
| garrison = Komatsu Air Base
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| aircraft_fighter =Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ
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| aircraft_trainer =Kawasaki T-4
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{{about|the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Squadron|the inactive US Air Force Squadron|306th Tactical Fighter Squadron}}
The 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron ({{nihongo|第306飛行隊|dai-sann-byaku-roku-hikoutai}}) is a squadron of the {{ill|6th Air Wing (JASDF)|lt=6th Air Wing|ja|第6航空団}} of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Komatsu Air Base, in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ 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 17, 2017
History
The 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron was founded on at Hyakuri Air Base on December 1, 1981 with F-4EJ aircraft. The squadron was the successor to the Lockheed F-104J/DJ Starfighter-equipped 205th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was the sixth and final squadron of the JASDF to be equipped with the F-4. One of the aircraft (17–8440) was the last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on May 21, 1981. "The Final Phantom" later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron. [https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8539462 17-8440 McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai] Retrieved September 28, 2017 In 1989 the squadron's aircraft were upgraded to F-4EJ Kai standard. In 1997 it converted from the F-4 and became the eighth and final of the F-15J squadrons existing at that time.
The squadron has participated in overseas exercises with US and other forces. 306th squadron aircraft have taken part in the Red Flag - Alaska exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in the United States on a number of occasions, including 2012–2, [https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000142256/ JASDF crew chiefs in action] Retrieved September 20, 2017 2013-3, [https://warisboring.com/north-korea-beware-f-15-practice-armada-assembles-in-alaska/ North Korea, Beware! F-15 Practice Armada Assembles in Alaska August 19, 2013] War Is Boring Retrieved September 20, 2017 and 2015-3. [https://www.eielson.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/642357/red-flag-alaska-15-3-officially-begins-at-eielson/ RED FLAG-Alaska 15-3 officially begins at Eielson August 11, 2015] Retrieved September 20, 2017 It also participated in Cope North including in 1986, 2015 [http://www.jetthrustimages.com/blog/2015/2/stunning-air-to-air-photography-from-cope-north-2015 Stunning air-to-air photography from Cope North 2015 February 20, 2015] Retrieved September 20, 2017 and 2016. [http://alert5.com/2016/02/13/exercise-cope-north-2016/ Exercise Cope North 2016] Alert 5 Retrieved September 20, 2017]
In July 2018 aircraft of the squadron trained in Japanese airspace with US B-52 bombers. {{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4594641/us-japan-bomber-fighter-integration-training-showcases-strength-alliance |title=US, Japan bomber-fighter integration training showcases strength of alliance |author= |date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=July 28, 2018 }} {{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jesse |date=July 28, 2018 |title=ASDF trains with B-52 heavy bombers in rare joint drill amid thaw with North Korea |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/28/national/asdf-trains-b-52-heavy-bombers-rare-joint-drill-amid-thaw-north-korea/#.W1w7_C2B2i4 |work=Japan Times |access-date=July 28, 2018 }} {{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/news/houdou/H30/300728.pdf |title=米軍との共同訓練の実施について |author= |date=July 30, 2018 |website=www.mod.go |publisher=Ministry of Defense |access-date=July 30, 2018 }} {{in lang|ja}}
Tail marking
The squadron's aircraft carry a golden eagle as their tail marking, inside a stylized "6" indicating the {{ill|6th Air Wing (JASDF)|lt=6th Air Wing|ja|第6航空団}}. The golden eagle can be found in the mountains near Komatsu air base, and is also the prefectural bird of Ishikawa.
Aircraft operated
File:'The last Phantom' 17-8440.jpg. This aircraft was the very last of the 5,195 F-4s produced worldwide (1994)]]
=Fighter aircraft=
- McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ (1981–1989)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1989–1997)
- Mitsubishi F-15J (1997–present)
=Liaison aircraft=
- Lockheed T-33A (1981–1994)
- Kawasaki T-4 (1992–present)
See also
References
{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}
{{Japan Air Self-Defense Force}}