The 第404飛行隊 (404th Tactical Airlift Tanker Squadron, dai-yon-zero-yon-hikoutai) is a tanker squadron of the 1st Tactical Airlift Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with four Boeing KC-767J aircraft.[1][2]
404th Tactical Airlift Squadron | |
---|---|
第404飛行隊 | |
Active | March 26, 2009 |
Country | Japan |
Allegiance | 1st Tactical Airlift Group |
Branch | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
Garrison/HQ | Komaki Air Base |
Aircraft flown | |
Tanker | Boeing KC-767J |
While most JASDF units rarely travel outside Japan, since the squadron's establishment in 2009 its aircraft have travelled outside Japan on exercises, transport missions and displays at airshows on a number of occasions.
Aircraft from the squadron have participated in Red Flag – Alaska including in the 2014-2[3] and 2015-3 editions.[4] They have also participated in the Cope North exercise held in Guam, beginning in 2013[5][6] and including the 2015[7] and 2017[8] exercises. In July 2017 it performed training flights with the Eurofighter Typhoons of the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom.[9]
In November 2013 the squadron dispatched an aircraft to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. The aircraft transported medical equipment and relief supplies from Manila to Cebu.[10][11]
In December 2014 an aircraft of the squadron carried 20,000 protective suits to Accra in Ghana during the Ebola epidemic. Another 680,000 suits were to be delivered by commercial aircraft.[12]
While it has not been common for Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft to appear at airshows outside Japan, The KC-767Js of the squadron have appeared at international air shows on many occasions, usually as a static display.
Japanese KC-767Js have appeared at the 2012,[13] 2014,[14] 2016[15] and 2017[16] editions of the Royal International Air Tattoo in the UK.
The squadron's aircraft have appeared at the Australian International Airshow, marking the JASDF's debut at that show in 2013,[17] and also appeared in 2015[18] and 2017.[19]
Aircraft of the squadron bear tail markings of a black horse's head with a flowing yellow mane.