is a squadron of the

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The , abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy ( ...

based at

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni is a joint Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces and United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki River, Nishiki river delta, southeast of Iwakuni Station in the Municipality of Japan, city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan ...

Yamaguchi Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Yamaguchi Prefecture has a population of 1,377,631 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 6,112 Square kilometre, km2 (2,359 Square mile, sq mi). ...

, Japan. It operates MCH-101 aircraft. As of 2016 there were seven MCH-101 aircraft in service with the squadron and plans for a total of 11. There were also discussions for the purchase for over a dozen additional aircraft.

History

Two retired MH-53E helicopters of the squadron were sold to the US in 2015 for their components. The US was running short of parts for its own fleet of the aging aircraft.

Current aircraft

* 10 AgustaWestland MCH-101 helicopters (2008–present)Defence of Japan 2022 (Annual White Paper). p.53.
Japan Ministry of Defence

Aircraft operated

* KV-107II-3/KV-107IIA-3 (1974-1990) * Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon (1990-2017)

References

{{reflist Units and formations of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Military units and formations established in 1974