Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (航空自衛隊, Kōkū Jieitai), JASDF (空自, Kūji), also referred to as the Japanese Air Force, is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warfare. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining a network of ground and air early-warning radar systems. The branch also has an aerobatic team known as Blue Impulse and has provided air transport in UN peacekeeping missions.
| Japan Air Self-Defense Force | |
|---|---|
| |
Emblem of the Air Self-Defense Force | |
| Founded | 1 July 1954 |
| Country | Japan |
| Type | Air force Space force |
| Role |
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| Size |
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| Part of | Japan Self-Defense Forces |
| Headquarters | Ichigaya, Shinjuku, Tokyo |
| Motto(s) | "Key to Defense, Ready Anytime!" |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Prime Minister Fumio Kishida |
| Minister of Defense | Minoru Kihara |
| Chief of Staff, Joint Staff | General Yoshihide Yoshida |
| Chief of Staff, Air Self-Defense Force | General Hiroaki Uchikura |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Flag | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | E-767, EC-1, E-2C/D, YS-11EA/EB |
| Fighter | F-15J/DJ, F-2A/B, F-35A/B |
| Helicopter | UH-60J, CH-47J (LR) |
| Trainer | T-3, T-7, T-400, T-4 |
| Transport | C-1, C-2, C-130H, Hawker 800, Gulfstream IV, Boeing 777 |
| Tanker | KC-767, KC-130 |
The JASDF had an estimated 49,913 personnel as of 2018, and as of 2020 operates about 740 aircraft, approximately 330 of them being fighter aircraft.
The service will be renamed in 2027 to the Japan Air and Space Self-Defense Force (航空宇宙自衛隊, Kōkū Uchū Jieitai), in recognition of the increasing importance of the space domain.