1st Professional Airmanship Program

From July 8th to 11th, the Ministry of Defense (MOD)/Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) held its first Professional Airmanship Program at the MOD, Iruma and Miho Air Bases of the JASDF, and other locations.

This program was carried out as an initiative under the “Vientiane Vision,” which is the guiding principle of Japan-ASEAN defense cooperation, aiming at maintaining and strengthening the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” The MOD/JASDF invited air force officers from all ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to promote confidence building and common understanding on international law among air services of Japan and ASEAN member states through a symposium and base visits to contribute to regional stability.

Defense Minister Iwaya Holds a Meeting with H.E. Hulusi AKAR, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Turkey

On July 1st, Minister Iwaya held a meeting with H.E. Hulusi AKAR, Minister of National Defence of Turkey. They discussed the development of bilateral defense cooperation.

Courtesy Call by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

On July 11th, Minister Iwaya received a courtesy call from Admiral John C. AQUILINO, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at the MOD.

Port Call by Royal Canadian Air Force at Komaki Air Base

From July 3rd to 5th, the CC-177 of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 429 Transport Squadron visited JASDF Komaki Air Base for the first time. Courtesy calls were paid on the commanders of the 1st Tactical Airlift Group and the 401st Airlift Squadron of the JASDF.

In addition, the RACF 429 Transport Squadron and the 1st Tactical Airlift Group held unit-to-unit exchange activities during the visit at Komaki Air Base. Their members introduced each own unit to each other, mutually held briefings and exchanged views on each other’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) missions, and observed the equipment of each unit.

Japan-Canada Defense Ministerial Meeting was held on June 3rd and the Ministers issued a joint statement for the first time, in which they affirmed to continue air-to-air exchanges through visits of both countries’ air assets to each other’s air bases. This unit-to-unit exchange became the first of such exchange after the release of the joint statement.

Through this exchange, the JASDF and RACF promoted mutual understanding and strengthened their relationship of mutual trust.

JMSDF Band, Tokyo Performs at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, an international military band festival was held from June 29th to July 6th in Nova Scotia, Canada. The JMSDF Band, Tokyo participated in the event.

It is the largest annual event held in Nova Scotia and it has been held since 1979. This year, in addition to the Canadian band, bands from the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Australia, Ethiopia, Estonia, and other countries also participated.

The JMSDF Band, Tokyo was applauded for its rendition that incorporated traditional Japanese culture such as wadaiko (Japanese drum) performance and sword fighting demonstration by the JMSDF members wearing traditional Japanese samurai armor. Also, overwhelming sound and beautiful formation of the band triggered an admirable applause.

The JMSDF Band, Tokyo had exchanges with citizens through performing at a parade in Halifax City and at a children’s hospital.

Status of Scrambles during the First Quarter of FY2019

The JASDF fighter jets were scrambled 246 times during the first quarter of FY2019, a decrease of 25 times compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. The breakdown of scrambles by country and region was about 73% against Chinese aircraft, about 26% against Russian aircraft, and about 1% against other aircraft although the countries and regions includes estimation.

Characteristics of Responses during the First Quarter of FY2019

The JASDF fighter jets were scrambled 179 times against Chinese aircraft, an increase of 6 times compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. The JASDF fighter jets were scrambled 65 times against Russian aircraft, a decrease of 30 times compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

During the first quarter of FY2019, 6 cases were made public as unusual flights, including a violation of territorial airspace by Russian aircraft.

A large number of scrambles were conducted against Chinese and Russian aircraft, although this includes estimation.

The data above was collected between April 1st and June 30th, 2019.