JASDF F-2 Update

[Gamera]

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/miyagi/news/20160707-OYTNT50320.html

Japanese news article dated 2016/07/07.

At Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture, first air show after 2011/03/11 earthquake and tsunami, will be on 2016/08/28.
Demo flights by Blue Impulse, F-2, and Kyuunantai (SAR Squadron) helicopters.

Because of traffic control, admission by lucky draw limited to 9,000 visitors.
Applications submit on or before 2016/07/15.

The previous air show in 2010, attracted 80,000 visitors.

[Gamera]

Tuesday, 12 July 2016:
Many F-2.
8th Hikoutai, 3rd Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

Rally ceremony by 8th Hikoutai commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oguro Masataka.
Late July 2016, 8th Hikoutai with about 20 F-2 will move from Misawa AB to Tsuiki AB, Fukuoka Prefecture.

This move compensates for January 2016, 304th Hikoutai with F-15 moved from Tsuiki AB to Naha AB, Okinawa Prefecture.

http://www.asagumo-news.com/homepage/ht ... 72601.html

[Gamera]

http://www.kahoku.co.jp/tohokunews/201607/20160713_23004.html

2016/07/13:

After 8th Hikoutai moves to Tsuiki AB, 3rd Hikoutai with about 20 F-2 remaining at Misawa AB will cover 8th Hikoutai missions.

JMOD schedule: fiscal year 2017, F-35 begins deploy at Misawa AB.
By fiscal year 2020, one squadron of about 20 F-35 at Misawa AB.

Also fiscal year 2020, 3rd Hikoutai will move to Hyaku AB, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Future, two squadrons of F-35 at Misawa AB.

[Gamera]

29 July 2016:
Many F-2.
JASDF, based at Tsuiki AB, Fukuoka Prefecture.

"Force reorganisation ceremony" by 8th Koukuudan and Tsuiki AB commander Imase Nobuyuki, to welcome about 20 F-2 and 400 personnel [8th Hikoutai, "Black Panthers"] arrived at Tsuiki AB, from Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

Part of "Southwest Shift", after about 20 F-15 [304th Hikoutai] moved to Naha AB, Okinawa Prefecture, now Tsuiki AB has total about 40 F-2.

http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160730/dd ... 40/640000c
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/tsuiki/kichishirei/index.html

[Gamera]

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20160 ... 7-jij-soci
http://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2016082800096&g=eqa

28 August 2016:
JASDF, based at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

First air show at Matsushima AB, after earthquake and tsunami damaged air base on 11 March 2011.
Attended by 10,000 visitors.

[Jon]

Thanks Gamera for posting this information.

[Gamera]

http://travel.watch.impress.co.jp/img/t ... 4.jpg.html

76 photos of JASDF Matsushima AB air show on 2016/08/28.

[Gamera]

http://flyteam.jp/event/detail/2984

"Air Festival 2016 in Misawa AB" is on 2016/09/11 Sunday.
Yes, September 11.

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/tokusetsu.html

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/images ... poster.jpg

The official poster features JASDF F-2 #522.

[Gamera]

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/tokusetsu2016.html
.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/aomori/n ... ml?from=tw

Saturday, 1 October 2016:
3rd Hikoutai, JASDF, at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

60th anniversary ceremony.

October 1956, 3rd Hikoutai established at Hamamatsu AB.
December 1971, moved to Misawa AB.

Has about 20 F-2 and T-4.

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/koukuu ... usai11.jpg

F-2.
#524.
3rd Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

Digital camouflage with 60th anniversary emblem on tail fin, dated Sunday, 11 September 2016.

[Gamera]

Thursday, 9 March 2017:
F-2.
3rd Hikoutai, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

From early May to 5 July, for about two months, up to seven of about 20 F-2 will deploy temporarily to JMSDF Hachinohe AB, Aomori Prefecture, for scramble missions.

Misawa AB runway will close for maintenance.

http://www.toonippo.co.jp/news_too/nto2 ... 023251.asp

[Gamera]

Saturday, 25 March 2017:
21st Hikoutai, 4th Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

40th anniversary ceremony, attended by 130 active and retired soldiers, politicians, and guests.

21st Hikoutai tasked with F-2 training.

At least one F-2 had 40th anniversary markings.

http://www.asagumo-news.com/homepage/ht ... 42604.html

[mixelflick]

What advantages does the F-2 bring vs. a stock Viper?

I can see the larger wing, but beyond that? I suppose different avionics/weapons.. It just seems like a REAL expensive Viper, and I'm wondering if even they consider it worth the effort.

[basher54321]

Any value may have been more from the experience and lessons of co development rather than unit cost say.

Other than that it has more pylons on the wings for more payload, a bit more internal fuel, and had an AESA radar from pretty much the go which they were upgrading recently I understand. The extra fuel might be to offset any extra weight /drag - no way to tell.

[Gamera]

Thursday, 13 April 2017:
JASDF announced because runway maintenance at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture, from early May to 5 July, Misawa AB aircraft would detach to Hyakuri AB, Ibaraki Prefecture, and Miyajima AB, Miyagi Prefecture.

130 soldiers, about 15 F-2, and some T-4 detach to Hyakuri AB.
25 soldiers and about seven T-4 detach to Miyajima AB.

http://www.asagumo-news.com/homepage/ht ... 50804.html

[Gamera]

Monday, 26 June 2017:
Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture.

Runway maintenance completed, and re-opened, for USAF [35th FW] and JASDF [3rd Koukuudan] aircraft.

Civilian flights continued to cancel from Thursday, 11 May to Tuesday, 4 July.

https://www.city.misawa.lg.jp/index.cfm ... 8,348,html
http://flyteam.jp/news/article/80930