21st Fighter Training Squadron (JASDF)
| 21st Flight Training Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 第21飛行隊 | |
Mitsubishi F-2B of 21st Squadron (2010) | |
| Active | March 31, 1975-present |
| Country | Japan |
| Allegiance | 4th Air Wing |
| Branch | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Matsushima Air Base |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | = |
The 21st Fighter Training Squadron (第21飛行隊, Dainiichi Hikōtai) is a squadron of the 4th Air Wing of Air Training Command of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is based at Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.[1][2]
History
The predecessor to the squadron was formed on March 31, 1975, and it formally became the 21st squadron on October 1, 1976.
After retiring their original North American F-86F Sabres, from January 12, 1982 to December 22, 1995 the JASDF aerobatics team Blue Impulse flew Mitsubishi T-2 aircraft as part of the squadron.
During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Matsushima Air Field was flooded with seawater, and eighteen Mitsubishi F-2B's belonging to 21st Squadron, as well as other aircraft, were damaged or destroyed.[3][4]
In the aftermath of this event, the 21st was relocated to Misawa Air Base where it conducted a reduced schedule of training while both the airfield and its damaged aircraft were repaired. A ceremony marking the 21st's return to Matsushima was held on March 28, 2016.[5]
Tail marking
The squadron has a unique tail marking.
Aircraft operated
Trainer
- Mitsubishi T-2 (1976-2004)
- Mitsubishi F-2B (2002–present)
Liaison
- Lockheed T-33A (1976-1994)
- Kawasaki T-4 (1992–present)
See also
References
- ^ "JASDF Primary Air Unit Order of Battle". J-HangarSpace. January 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ 第21飛行隊松島基地帰還行事 Archived 2016-12-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved October 4, 2017 (in Japanese)
- ^ "Massive Tsunami Submerges Towns, Washes Away Houses, Cars". Nikkei. March 12, 2011.
- ^ "Earthquake devastates Japan F-2 SQD - the DEW Line". Archived from the original on 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
- ^ "JASDF - Order of Battle". J-Hangerspace. March 1, 2018.