603rd Squadron (JASDF)
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name =603rd Squadron
| native_name ={{lang|ja|第603飛行隊}}
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| dates = April 20, 2014
| country =Japan
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| allegiance =AEW Surveillance Group (JASDF)
| branch =Japan Air Self-Defense Force
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| garrison =Naha Air Base
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| aircraft_electronic =Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
}}
The {{nihongo|603rd Squadron|第603飛行隊|dai-roku-zero-san-hikoutai}} is a squadron of the Airborne Early Warning Surveillance Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. [http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000438146.pdf 航空自衛隊 那覇基地(第9航空団司令部 基地渉外室)] Retrieved September 26, 2017 {{in lang|ja}} [http://aviationphotodigest.com/japan-air-self-defense-force/ Japan Air Self-Defense Force] Retrieved September 26, 2017 It is equipped with Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.{{cite web|date=January 1, 2024|url=http://www.j-hangarspace.jp/jasdf-order-of-battle|title=JASDF Primary Air Unit Order of Battle|publisher=J-HangarSpace|access-date=2024-11-23}}
History
In the early 2010s the amount of air activity by China near Okinawa increased dramatically after Japan effectively nationalized the disputed Senkaku Islands, sparking a major backlash from China. Beginning in 2012 E-2C aircraft began deploying to Naha air base, and in 2014 the squadron was officially formed. Tan, Andrew T.H. [https://books.google.com/books?id=j3GhCAAAQBAJ&dq=e-2c+naha&pg=PA154 Security and Conflict in East Asia page 154] Retrieved September 26, 2017 [https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100606/http://www.washingtonsecurityforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pacific-Security-and-the-E-2D1.pdf Pacific Security and the E-2D 2014] Washington Security Forum Retrieved September 26, 2017
The unit was formed by taking around 130 personnel Burke, Matthew M & Sumida, Chiyomi [https://www.stripes.com/news/japan-puts-early-warning-aircraft-on-okinawa-amid-china-s-moves-1.281093#.WcnVcsaB2CQ Japan puts early-warning aircraft on Okinawa amid China's moves May 2, 2017] Stars and Stripes Retrieved September 26, 2017 and four of the JASDF's 13 E-2C aircraft from 601st Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/04/20/national/new-awacs-unit-launched-in-naha/#.WcnFzcaB2CQ New AWACS unit launched in Naha April 20, 2014] Japan Times Retrieved September 26, 2017 [http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsjapan-boosts-surveillance-against-china-with-new-e-2c-hawkeye-squadron-4218077 Japan boosts surveillance against China with new E-2C Hawkeye squadron April 22, 2014] Air Force Technology Retrieved September 26, 2017 Donald, David [http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2014-04-22/japan-bolsters-southern-air-defenses Japan Bolsters Southern Air Defenses April 22, 2014] Retrieved September 26, 2017 [http://www.japanupdate.com/2014/04/jasdf-initiates-awacs-squadron-in-okinawa/ JASDF initiates AWACS squadron in Okinawa April 23, 2014] Retrieved September 26, 2017
On April 12, 2015 one of the squadron's aircraft made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base due to electrical problems. [https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=175303 Grumman E-2C Hawkeye incident 12 April 2015] Aviation Safety Network Retrieved September 26, 2017
Tail markings
Unlike many other JASDF squadrons, the squadron's aircraft generally have a marking on their forward fuselage instead of on the tail. The marking is of a bat grasping lightning bolts, retained from the aircraft's time with the 601st Squadron. [http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/emblems/jasdf_emblem/aew_e2c/a_aew_e2c.html マーキング] Retrieved September 26, 2017 {{in lang|ja}}
Aircraft operated
- Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (2014–)