Developed and built by the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation, the NAMC YS-11 first flew August 1962 and is still operational with the Japanese Air Force and Navy. Powered by Rolls Royce turboprops, 182 aircraft were built, however operational numbers are dwindling. Three examples are active with 61 Kokutai in the transport role, a fourth YS-11 is awaiting its fate at Ozuki, receiving substantial damage after it overran the runway.

A unique and very impressing aircraft in the JMSDF is the Shin Maywa US-1A flying boat. The US-1A is the Search and Rescue variant of the PS-1 ASW flying boat. Twenty US-1's have been procured between 1975 and 2000 serving with the 71 Kokutai at Iwakuni which was formed on 1 July 1976. The eighth newest US-1s were in service at any given time. The US-1A is gradually being replaced by the US-2 which is a modernised US-1. Four have been constructed to date. One US-1A or US-2 is detached to Atsugi and usually changed after one week.

Two other boring grey Orions, in front 5001, the first ever JMSDF Orion with 2 Kokutai marks and next to it an unmarked example. The first three are real Lockheed Orions, built in the States, all other Japanese versions were manufactured under licence by Kawasaki at Gifu and with their own construction number range. In October 2009, the JMSDF lost only their second Orion and this time not due to a crash but by their own hands. 5002 was brutaly broken up at Atsugi after being withdrawn from use in April. Overhaul is performed at Gifu and a handful of unmarked examples is allways present.

The replacement for the US-1A. Originally flown as the US-1A Kai, a modernised version of the original, it is now in low rate production as the US-2. This example is the second frame and still in test colour scheme. The first one had the "standard" red/white prototype scheme but received the midnight blue c/s after overhaul. The other US-2's are/were delivered in this new dark scheme, making it a little less impressive in my opinion.

Eleven MH-53E's replaced nine KV107IIA-3 helicopters in the minesweeping role. The MH-53's were delivered from 1990 onwards. One was lost in a crash in 1995. The Sea Stallions can also be found on two Uraga class mine countermeasures support ships. The MH-53 will be replaced by the MCH-101 over the next decade with two delivered by early 2010.

The Japanese Navy acquired six Learjet 36s in the period 1988-1993 for target duties, two examples were lost in accidents since. The four remaining U-36A's are part of the mixed fleet of 91 Kokutai, the other type being the UP-3D Orion.

The Mitsubishi UH-60J replaced the S-61AH as the dedicated Search and Rescue helicopter with, initially, six Kyunan Hikotai (Air Base Squadrons)at the JMSDF main bases. However, following the March 2008 reorganisations those at Hachinohe, Shimofusa, Atsugi, Ozuki and Iwo Jima were disbanded in favour of two new squadrons, each with three detachments.

211 Kyoiku Kokutai is responsible for training the JMSDF helicopter pilots. This picture captures three types currently in use at their home base Kanoya. Elementry rotary training is conducted on the OH-6. Three different types served the Japanese Navy since the type entered service in 1973 including three OH-6J's, fourteen OH-6D's and now the OH-6DA. Today only a few OH-6D's are on charge. The OH-6D was gradually replaced by the OH-6DA and by the end of 2005 five OH-6DA's had been delivered. The OH-6 will be replaced by the EC-135T2 or TH-135 as it is known in Japanese service. The first one was handed over to 51 Kokutai in December 2009 for testing and evaluation and by October 2010 was seen with 211 Kyoiku Kokutai.

The replacement for the OH-6D/DA is this Eurocopter EC-135 named TH-135 in Japanese service. As can be seen on the tail, it was still on strength of 51 Kokutai, the dedicated test squadron but operating from Kanoya in preparation for transfer. By October 2010, the first TH-135 was seen operating with 211 Kyoiku Kokutai markings

Seen departing Komaki at the end of the Open Day is this 23 Kokutai SH-60J, heading for home at Maizuru, a base rarely visited by spotters as it is a bit off the beaten track. 23 Kokutai is the third unit to transition to the SH-60K. The SH-60J in this picture is in the 'new' overall grey colour scheme as opposed to the original 'old' white/grey colours.

The successor of the SH-60J, developed by Mitsubishi is the slightly longer SH-60K. Other changes include next generation rotortips and a more square observers window compared to the round bubble of the J version. 22 Kokutai was the second unit receiving this variant and this example is seen arriving at Tsuiki to take its place in the static.

MH-53E 111 Kokutai

The visitors terrace at Naha is a good spot to get most of the based 5 Kokutai Orions. The loss of their colourful tailmarkings make these aircraft a lot less atractive, some even say 'you've seen one you've seen them all' but this is not entirely true. The JMSDF operates the P-3C with at least two different modifications besides the standard version. As can be seen on this photo, the 5089 has a big bulge on the top of the fuselage. Another mod. has a smaller bulge on the same place and some remain, at least on the outside in the old configuration.

One of the last Orion units with some distinctive tail markings is the training squadron 203 Kokutai. It seems the finflash is a thing of the past as only a few examples are flying in "full colours".

205 Kyoiku Kokutai operated six YS-11 in the training role. At 18 MAY 2011, three aircraft flew the units last mission from Shimofusa, a formation farewell flight and were withdrawn from use after parking. This particular aircraft was seen inside a hangar in July 2011 and might be a candidate for preservation, hopefully including the smiling "pac-man" on the nose.

The SH-60J was the successor of the HSS-2B in the ship borne ASW role. Currently the fleet of SH-60J's is partially replaced by the SH-60K. Five Kokutai's are equipped with the Seahawk being the 21 Kokutai at Tateyama, 22 Kokutai at Omura, 23 Kokutai at Manazuru, 24 Kokutai at Komatsushima and 25 Kokutai at Ominato. This three-shipper was performing at the Tateyama open day of 2008 and are all in the old colour scheme.

The first operational unit to receive the SH-60K during 2006 was 121 Kokutai, now part of 21 Kokutai. This one is receiving the cold shower treatment to get rid of any salty deposits. The white herons in the trees in the background probably see this scene everyday.

To maintain a presence in the Arctic regions, Japan regularly sends its Polar Icebreaker Shirase to those shores. AGB-5003 is the third ship with that name, commissioned last year and is able to carry two CH-101's. Its predecessor, the S-61A was retired in 2008 and was operating with 21 Kokutai at Tateyama when not aboard the Chirase, the CH-101 is flying from Iwakuni with 111 Kokutai.