Military unit
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
Mitsubishi T-2s of Blue Impulse in flight (1995)
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.
Tail marking (2016)
Aircraft operated
Mitsubishi T-2 (1994)
Trainer
Liaison
See also
References
air staff structure
Air Defense Command
Northern Air Defense Force
2nd Air Wing
3rd Air Wing
Northern Aircraft Control & Warning Wing
Northern Air Defense Missile Group
Northern Air Civil Engineering Group
Northen Band
Central Air Defense Force Western Air Defense Force
5th Air Wing
8th Air Wing
Western Air Command Support Squadron
Western Aircraft Control & Warning Wing
Western Air Defense Missile Group
Western Air Civil Engineering Group
Western Band
Southwestern Air Defense Force
9th Air Wing
Southwestern Aircraft Control & Warning Wing
Southwestern Air Defense Missile Group
Southwestern Air Civil Engineering Group
Southwestern Band
Air Tactics Development Wing
Tactical Fighter Training Group
Air Defense Missile Training Group
Electronic Warfare Operation Group
Base Defense Development & Training Squadron
Tactical Air Support Squadron
directly controlled units
Air Support Command Air Training Command Air Development and Test Command Air Material Command units controlled by the Defense Minister
Air Communications and System Wing
Aero Safety Service Group
Air Staff College
Air Police Group
Central Air Base Group
Central Band
Space Operations Group
history & tradition other topics