JASDF F-2 Update

[Gamera]

For fun, official papercraft (paper models) of JASDF aircraft, including F-2A and F-35A.

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/hofuminami/papercraft.html

[Gamera]

2015/04/14

http://flyteam.jp/news/article/48782
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20150 ... 7-san-soci
http://www.sankei.com/politics/news/150 ... 06-n1.html

On 11 March 2011, at Miyagi Prefecture, Matsushima AB, 18 F-2B of 21st Hikoutai, JASDF, were damaged.
All 18 were investigated, and 13 would be repaired.
21st Hikoutai had about 20 F-2B.
Including prototypes, 32 F-2B were produced.
F-2 production line already ended.

On 21 April 2015, at Aichi Prefecture, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Komaki Minami factory, the first repaired F-2B will be delivered to JASDF.
Repair cost is 13 billion Yen per aircraft.
Purchase cost was 11 billion Yen per aircraft.

The first repaired F-2B is one of six aircraft in fiscal year Heisei 27 [2015].

[Jon]

Let us know when we know the serial number as well. Thanks!

[Gamera]

First glance...

2015/04/21
http://www.hochi.co.jp/topics/20150421-OHT1T50099.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/photograph/new ... OYT1I50010

Looks like F-2B #106.

[Gamera]

21 April 2015:
F-2B.
03-8106. #106.
JASDF.

Aichi Prefecture, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Komaki Minami factory, ceremony for first repaired F-2B delivered to JASDF.

On 11 March 2011, at Miyagi Prefecture, Matsushima AB, tsunami damaged 18 F-2B.
13 would be repaired, for 88.5 billion Yen.

Before fiscal year 2015 end, six would be delivered.
Before fiscal year 2017 end, seven would be delivered.

After ceremony at Komaki Minami factory, #106 flew to Aomori Prefecture, Misawa AB.
After the tsunami, F-2 pilots training moved to Misawa AB.

At Misawa AB, 3rd Koukuudan commander, Major General Inoue Hirohide said: day of repaired aircraft return to Matsushima AB, is not far away.

http://flyteam.jp/news/article/46502

On and after 16 February 2015, at Nagoya AP, aviation fans witnessed #106 began test flights.

http://www.hochi.co.jp/topics/20150421-OHT1T50099.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20150421-OYT1T50071.html

[Gamera]

http://www.asagumo-news.com/homepage/htdocs/news/newsflash/201505/150511/15051102.html

First of three photos, is Blue Impulse hangar, at Matsushima AB, dated 2015/04/17.

Second is a wet and wild F-2B, at Matsushima AB, dated 2011/03/12.

Third is ceremony at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Komaki Minami factory, dated 2015/04/21.

[Gamera]

[Source news article has small photo.]

http://www.asagumo-news.com/homepage/htdocs/news/newsflash/201505/150526/15052601.html

12 May 2015:
F-2B.
21st Hikoutai, 4th Koukuudan, JASDF, formerly based at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

At Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture, during training mission by 8th Hikoutai, 3rd Koukuudan, above Pacific Ocean, JASDF Chief of Staff, General Saitou Hirokazu, call sign Goa, rode back seat of first repaired F-2B that was damaged by tsunami on 11 March 2011.

[Jon]

That's funny, one of the guys in the photos has his hat over his face.

First glance...

2015/04/21
http://www.hochi.co.jp/topics/20150421-OHT1T50099.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/photograph/new ... OYT1I50010

Looks like F-2B #106.

20150421-OHT1I50033-1.jpg

[Gamera]

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/august/Japans-F-2-Marks-8th-Platform-to-Fly-with-LM.html

Japan’s F-2 Marks 8th Platform to Fly with Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 10, 2015 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) received a direct commercial sale contract through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to integrate the Sniper ® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) onto the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) F-2 aircraft.

[Gamera]

4 September 2015:
8th Hikoutai, 3rd Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

2016 summer, 8th Hikoutai will relocate to Tsuiki AB, Fukuoka Prefecture.
8th Hikoutai flies F-2 since 2008, and T-4 since 1991.

3rd Hikoutai stays at Misawa AB.
Fiscal year 2017, at Misawa AB, new Hikoutai will establish to fly F-35.

http://www.toonippo.co.jp/news_too/nto2015/20150905005127.asp

[Gamera]

11 March 2011:
Eighteen F-2B.
03-8103.
03-8104.
03-8106.
23-8107. From 13-8107.
23-8108.
23-8109.
23-8110.
23-8111.
23-8114.
33-8116. From 23-8116.
33-8117. From 23-8117.
33-8118.
33-8119.
33-8120.
33-8121.
33-8122.
43-8127.
53-8131.
21st Hikoutai, JASDF.

Damaged by tsunami, at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

2015/02/16, 03-8104 test flight at Komaki AB/Nagoya AP.
First tsunami-damaged F-2B repaired.
2015/04/21, ferry flight to Misawa AB, where 21st Hikoutai training was based.

2015/05/13, 23-8108 test flight at Komaki AB/Nagoya AP.
Second tsunami-damaged F-2B repaired.

2015/07/24, 33-8116 test flight at Komaki AB/Nagoya AP.
Third tsunami-damaged F-2B repaired.

2015/10/02, 33-8118 test flight at Komaki AB/Nagoya AP.
Fourth tsunami-damaged F-2B repaired.

http://xpm.gozaru.jp/b-benri/choutatsu_jasdf.html

[Gamera]

20 March 2016:
Many F-2.
21st Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

Ceremony for 21st Hikoutai returned to Matsushima AB.
21st Hikoutai was F-2 pilots training squadron.
Training would restart on 23 March.

After earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011, 21st Hikoutai moved to Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

Matsushima AB, against future tsunami, apron elevated 4 metres.
New hangars would complete this month.

Six flooded and repaired F-2, and three F-2 from other air bases, were stationed.
More would return.

http://www.sankei.com/photo/photojournal/news/160320/jnl1603200001-n1.html

Many photos.
Note "Return March 2016" badge on uniform, and "Return to Matsushima AB" and "Many Thanks To Misawa AB" special markings on tail fin of 33-8116.

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=soc_30&k=2016032000106
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/tohokunews/201603/20160321_13012.html
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2016/03/21/kiji/K20160321012252060.html

[Gamera]

3-9 March 2016:
Many F-2.
21st Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

At Matsushima AB, spotters recorded F-2 and T-4 that arrived.

March 9:
F-2 were #116 [memorial paint scheme], #118, #121, #122 [no squadron mark], #123 [no squadron mark].
T-4 was #760.

March 10:
F-2 was #105 [from Gifu AB, no squadron mark].
T-4 was #707.

March 14:
F-2 were #106, #124 [no squadron mark].

March 17:
F-2 was #108.

http://dansa.minim.ne.jp/a2331-10-MatsushimaF2B.htm

[Jon]

Thanks for your updates!

[Gamera]

http://www.toonippo.co.jp/news_too/nto2016/20160604014114.asp

4 June 2016:
8th Hikoutai, 3rd Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

About late July 2016, 8th Hikoutai will move to Tsuiki AB, Fukuoka Prefecture.
8th Hikoutai operates F-2.