2. Aviation
  3. Spotting at various places

20190213-20190215 Spotting at Phantom-base Hyakuri (RJAH).

Part of "20190211-20190217_COAP-Japan Trip Exotic Wings #41 LITE" --> see here: https://www.waltervanbelphotography.be/Travel/Asia/20190211-20190217COAP-Japan-Trip-Exotic-Wings-41-LITE/n-KCbLJv/

At the time of our visit (Frebruary 2019), there were still 3 active Squadrons flying the mighty Phantom! This was the last chance to see active Phantoms of 302 Hikotai, since they would stop flying at the end of the month...

The 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron are squadrons of the 7th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. These are equipped with F-4EJ Kai Phantom II and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.
Along with the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 302nd is responsible for air defense of the Tokyo Metropolitan area.

The 302 squadron ceased flying the F-4 Phantom in March 2019, and in the same month relocated to Misawa Air Base.

The 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with RF-4E Phantom II, RF-4EJ Phantom II and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.
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    Tail close-up of a JASDF F-4EJ-KAI (17-8437; cnM137) from 302 Hikotai (White-tailed Eagle), on the taxi-track to the active runway at Hyakuri. The 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the 7th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The squadron's emblem is a stylized image of a white-tailed eagle, a raptor which resides in Japan. It is famous among JASDF fighter squadrons as being the largest tail marking. There is a rule that a squadron's tail marking can not be larger than the Hinomaru used as a roundel by Japanese military aircraft, but this rule did not exist when the 302nd's emblem was created. The eagle is designed to resemble the squadron's number, with the wings having three lines, the tail being a zero, and the two feet completing the number.
    A pair of JASDF F-4EJ-KAI (67-8390; cnM090) from 301 Hikotai (Frogs), on the taxiway at Hyakuri, heading out to the runway prior to another training session. The squadron emblem of the 301st Squadron is a frog wearing a scarf. The first Phantom is carrying an AGST-36 Aerial Gunnery Target System (RMK-35/A37U-36) under its starboard wing.
    A JASDF Kawasaki T-4 (26-5809; cn1209), from 302 Hikotai (White-tailed Eagle), on take-off from Hyakuri's RWY03R. The 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the 7th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Phantom II and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.