Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager aircraft have landed in Japan.
Four Typhoon fighter aircraft, flown by No 2 (AC) Squadron pilots from RAF Lossiemouth, arrived at Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Misawa Air Base, in the northern part of the island of Honshū on Saturday.
The Typhoon visit is also an opportunity for Japan’s air force see one of Europe’s most advanced jets as it looks at proposals for developing a new fighter of its own.
An RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, crewed by No 10 and !01 Squadrons, provided air-to-air refuelling during the 3,500 mile (5,600 km) non-stop flight from Malaysia.
This marks the first bilateral exercise ever in Japan for the JASDF to host with foreign military other than the U.S. The Exercise, named “Guardian North 16”, represents an opportunity for both air forces to learn from each other and develop their skills.
In a formal arrival ceremony, Commander of JASDAF Misawa Air Base, Maj Gen Koji Imaki, greeted the RAF detachment and said: “Welcome to Japan, welcome to Guardian North. We look forward to working side by side with you in this epoch making exercise. Enjoy the long long history of Northern Japan.”
Wing Commander Roger Elliott, Officer Commanding 2(AC) Squadron and pilot of the first jet to land, said:
“Thank you for such an amazing welcome here to Misawa Air Base. I’m absolutely positive that all members of my Squadron and detachment from across the Royal Air Force, will have a tremendous experience with the JASDF.
I know that we will work together, I know that we will learn together. But most importantly I know that we will make friendships that will tie us together more closely in the future.”
RAF and JASDF exercising together in Japan delivers on an agreement made in January at the Foreign and Defence Ministers Dialogue (2+2).
F-15 fighters from Northern Air Defense Force (Chitose) Air Base (Hokkaido), and F-2 fighters from Northern Air Defense Force, Misawa Air Base will take part.
Typhoons will be supported throughout the detachment by RAF C-17 transport aircraft carrying essential engineering equipment.
The Typhoon FGR4 is a multi-role combat aircraft with air-to-air and ground attack capabilities.
This comes as South Korea, the United States and Britain are gearing up for their first joint military exercise aimed at countering North Korea in November.
The South Korean exercise is designed to counter the rising threats from North Korea’s intensified nuclear and missile tests, according to local media.
The South Korean Air Force said in a statement that the exercise will be conducted between the 4th and 10th of November at Osan Air Base and will involve a combined aerial exercise, “the first of its kind” the statement added.
Britain is planning to send four Typhoon jets, a Voyager tanker aircraft and C-17, C-130 transport aircraft to take part in the exercise.
South Korea will deploy F-15K and KF-16 fighters and the US will send F-16 fighters, the statement added.
Exercise Eastern Venture, what the RAF are calling the deployment, begins with Typhoon aircraft deploying from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to Malaysia and Singapore, for training as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangement between the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
According to a press release, the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Air Self Defence Force, General Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, announced that the first-ever UK-Japan Fighter Exercise would be hosted at JASDF Misawa Air Base from mid-October to early November.
This is the first time the JASDF has hosted an exercise with a foreign nation other than the United States.
The exercise will be aimed at enhancing interoperability to deepen the UK and Japan’s partnership in security and defence.
Chief of the Air Staff Sir Stephen Hillier said:
“This exercise is tremendously important and it demonstrates that even though the Royal Air Force is committed to operations in the Middle East and elsewhere.
We still have the capability to deploy effectively to the other side of the world, with both Typhoons, supporting Voyagers and air transport, and the Red Arrows as well. This reinforces the message that the UK is a globally-engaged player with global power, reinforcing our relationship with allies, and also promoting UK prosperity.”
With all due respect, did Japan have jets in WW2?