Hyakuri (Japan)

Samurais Phantoms’ Pharewell

2 December 2018

On 2 December 2018, a small air show was held at Hyakuri AB, Ibaraki prefecture, north of Japan’s capital city Tokyo. The occasion was to mark the final operating days of one of the last three front line Phantom squadrons of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

The 302nd Hikotai (Tactical Fighter Squadron), which is already in transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35A, will withdraw all of its remaining Phantoms in March 2019. The other two squadrons, the 501st Hikotai, which operates the photo-reconnaissance Phantoms and the 301st Hikotai, the first ever Phantom squadron, will follow the year after. This is not the end of Phantom operations within the JASDF as Hiko Kaihatsu Jikkendan, the Gifu based test unit will continue to fly the type until 2021, ending what will then be Japan’s half a century operation of the type.

There were not many participants present on that event, but there were definitely plenty of Phantoms! In front of the thousands locals who had been gathered there (Japanese have a strong affection with aviation and of course photography), there was a big line up of twelve Phantoms. Almost half of the operating ones! Most of them participated in the flying display as well. This big line up was comprised of four Phantoms from each squadron along with two other F-15Js from the 303 Hikotai based in Komatsu AB. One of these two F-15s participated also in the flying display, while the second was there as a back up one.

In front of this line up, closer to the crowd, there were two of the celebrating unit’s jets painted in commemorative markings. There were also some other visitors from other bases. An F-2, a P-1, a Gulfstream IV and a Huey were present. Hyakuri AB is also the home base of three other aircraft: the T-4, the UH-60J Blackhawk and the U-125A. One example from each type was also present there. In fact the Blackhawk took also part in the flight display with a simulated CSAR mission.

Unfortunately the weather was not so helpful and despite the fact that one day before the airshow the weather was great, on the day of the airshow the sky was covered with clouds. The flight program started with a formation of six Phantoms, two from each squadron, which were departing in pairs. They performed one pass in formation over the runway. All three squadrons used a pair of their aircraft which performed displays twice during the show.

Three T-4s were visible from the sale stands behind the hangars, the 4th (56-5739) could be seen from the civil terminal.

After the show was over some aircraft towing took place. These four addition aircraft were noted from the civil terminal while they were moved around.

Credits: Michael Greenway, Hans Hoogers, Otger van der Kooij

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