In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Fleet Air Force is its naval aviation branch, responsible for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft and headquartered in Naval Air Facility Atsugi. As of 2012, it was equipped with over 200 fixed-wing aircraft and 150 helicopters. These aircraft operate from bases throughout Japan, as well as from the JMSDF's ships.
History
The JMSDF's first aircraft were 16 Lockheed P2V Neptunemaritime patrol aircraft, which were provided to the force by the United States Navy in 1956. The US Navy also provided Japan with 60 Grumman S-2 Trackers from 1957. During the 1980s, the JMSDFs force of 82 Neptunes was replaced by about 100 Lockheed P-3 Orions. The JMSDF's first combat helicopters were the Mitsubishi HSS-2. These helicopters were replaced by SH-60Js during the 1990s. The JMSDF is the only force to operate minesweeping helicopters other than the US Navy. The first helicopters used for this purpose were eight V-107As. These helicopters were replaced by eleven MH-53Es during the 1990s. Seven MCH-101 helicopters have been ordered to replace the MH-53Es, of which five had been delivered by mid-2012. The Diet of Japan approved the modification of the ships of the Izumo-class to operate STOVL aircraft and in 2019 ordered 42 STOVL Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs.The US Marines will at first operate in cooperation their own F-35bs to build up a Japanese capability to operate this type. The Asahi Shimbun quotes Japan’s Defense MinisterTakeshi Iwaya “The Izumo-class aircraft carrier role is to strengthen the air defense in the Pacific Ocean and to ensure the safety of the Self-Defense Force pilots”. he also states, “There may be no runway available for the US aircraft in an emergency. I cannot say that the US F35B should never be placed on an escort vessel.” The current plan is for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to operate the aircraft once delivered. According to an RT official interview of a Japanese Ministry of Defense representative states that the STOVL aircraft are a land based Japan Air Self-Defense Force asset and the modification of maritime escort vessels is to “increase operational flexibility”, stating “We are not creating carrier air wings or carrier air squadrons”.
Equipment
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation maintains a large naval air force, including 201 fixed-wing aircraft and 145 helicopters. Most of these aircraft are used in anti-submarine warfare operations.
Current organization
The organization of the JMSDF's aviation units is based on that of the US Navy. The main organizational units are Koku Shudan, Kokugun, Kōkūtai and Hikōtai. As at mid-2012, the structure of the JMSDF's aviation units was as follows: Lockheed UP-3C Orion #9151 Fleet Air Force
