The 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron () is a squadron of the 8th Air Wing of the

Japan Air Self-Defense Force The , , also referred to as the Japanese Air Force, is the Aerial warfare, air and space warfare, space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and ...

based at Tsuiki Air Base, in

Fukuoka Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Fukuoka Prefecture has a population of 5,109,323 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 4,986 Square kilometre, km2 (1,925 sq mi). Fukuoka Prefecture borders ...

, Japan. It is equipped with

Mitsubishi F-2 The Mitsubishi F-2 is a multirole fighter derived from the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, with a 60/40 split in manufacturing betw ...

and

Kawasaki T-4 The Kawasaki T-4 is a Japanese subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft developed and manufactured by the commercial conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Its sole operator is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), in part due to historic ...

aircraft.Thompson, Pau
JASDF - Order of Battle July 1, 2017
''J-HangarSpace'' Retrieved September 23, 2017Thompson, Pau
JASDF - Squadron Histories
''J-HangarSpace'' Retrieved September 23, 2017

History

Tail markings

The squadron's tail marking is of a black

leopard The leopard (''Panthera pardus'') is one of the five extant cat species in the genus ''Panthera''. It has a pale yellowish to dark golden fur with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its body is slender and muscular reaching a length of with a ...

In popular culture

The squadron appeared in the 1993 anime film '' Patlabor 2: The Movie'' and in the 2016 film '' Shin Godzilla''.

Aircraft operated

Fighter aircraft

* North American F-86F Sabre (1960-1980) * Mitsubishi F-1 (1980-1997) * McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1997-2009) *

(2008-present)

Liaison aircraft

Lockheed T-33 The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American subsonic jet trainer. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then d ...

A (1959-1992) * Mitsubishi T-2 (1981-2006) *

(1991-present)

References

{{Japan Air Self-Defense Force Units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force