The 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.[1][2] It is equipped with Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.[3]
| 603rd Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 第603飛行隊 | |
| Active | April 20, 2014 |
| Country | Japan |
| Allegiance | AEW Surveillance Group (JASDF) |
| Branch | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Naha Air Base |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye |
History
editIn 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.[4][5]
The unit was formed by taking around 130 personnel[6] and four of the JASDF's 13 E-2C aircraft from 601st Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.[7][8][9][10]
On April 12, 2015 one of the squadron's aircraft made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base due to electrical problems.[11]
Tail markings
editUnlike 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.[12]
Aircraft operated
edit- Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (2014–)
References
edit- ^ 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 Japanese)
- ^ Japan Air Self-Defense Force Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ "JASDF Primary Air Unit Order of Battle". J-HangarSpace. January 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ Tan, Andrew T.H. Security and Conflict in East Asia page 154 Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ Pacific Security and the E-2D 2014 Washington Security Forum Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ Burke, Matthew M & Sumida, Chiyomi Japan puts early-warning aircraft on Okinawa amid China's moves May 2, 2017 Stars and Stripes Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ New AWACS unit launched in Naha April 20, 2014 Japan Times Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ Japan boosts surveillance against China with new E-2C Hawkeye squadron April 22, 2014 Air Force Technology Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ Donald, David Japan Bolsters Southern Air Defenses April 22, 2014 Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ JASDF initiates AWACS squadron in Okinawa April 23, 2014 Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ Grumman E-2C Hawkeye incident 12 April 2015 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved September 26, 2017
- ^ マーキング Retrieved September 26, 2017 (in Japanese)
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