Four early McDonnell Douglas F-15J Eagles fly formation near the Nyutaharu Air Base, where 202 Hikotai (part of the 5 Kokudan) serves as the OCU for the type.

Some 45 Lockheed F-104J Starfighters remain in the JASDF inventory from 210 (plus 20 two-seat F-104DJs) originally supplied. The last operational unit is 207 Hikotai, two of whose F-104Js are seen here at their Naha base.

One of the six Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft that are now in service with 601 Hikotai at Misawa.

The JASDF has a requirement for 12 Lockheed C-130H Hercules but has to date funded only eight. Of these, four have been delivered, and are now in service with 401 Hokotai at Komaki, alongside eight Kawasaki C-1s.

At Gifu, the Air Proving Wing (Koku Jikkendan) includes the ubiquitous Lockheed T-33A in its present inventory.

Detachments of the Koku Kyunandan (Air Rescue Wing) are spread throughout Japan, each equipped with Kawasaki KV-107 helicopters built under Boeing-Vertol licence. Five more KV-107-IIA-5s are on order.

At present the most modern type of aircraft serving with the Flying Training Command (Hiko Koku Shudan) is the indigenous Mitsubishi T-2, a total of 96 examples having been ordered since 1975. This armed T-2 Koki (T-2A) is unusual in being camouflaged. Unarmed T-2 Zenki versions are also in service.

A Mitsubishi T-2 basic jet trainer in the colours of the "Blue Impulse” aerobatic team of the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force.

A Mitsubishi F-1 of the type now operated by three squadrons, the 3, 6 and 8 Hikotai.

Mitsubishi F-1 support fighters of 6 Hikotai at Tsuiki, forming part of the 8 Kokudan (Air Wing) which is itself a component of the Western Air Defence Force, the Seibu Koku Homentai.

The first prototype Kawasaki T-4 about to enter flight testing that is expected to lead to orders for 200-220 aircraft being built in the early 'nineties.

The only military transport type developed in Japan in recent years, the Kawasaki C-1 is in service with the three squadrons of the Air Transport Wing, Nos 401, 402 and 403.

Flying training in the JASDF begins on the Fuji T-3, at Shizuhama (11 Hiko Kyoikudan) and Hofu (12 HK).

Japan's first post-war jet design, the Fuji T-1 is used for the second stage of JASDF primary training, serving with the 13 Hiko Kyoikudan at Ashiya.

One of the two YS-11FC conversions used by the Flight Check Group.

A McDonnell F-4EJ Phantom of 302 Hikotai at Naha - one of the four squadrons that will continue to operate the type.