403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron (JASDF)

The 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron (第403飛行隊, dai-yon-zero-san-hikoutai) is the sole transport squadron of the 3rd Tactical Airlift Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Kawasaki C-1 and Kawasaki C-2 aircraft.^[1][2]

403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron
第403飛行隊
C-2 of 403rd Squadron (2017)
Active	March 31, 1978
Country	Japan
Allegiance	3rd Tactical Airlift Group
Branch	Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Garrison/HQ	Miho Air Base
Aircraft flown
Transport	Kawasaki C-1, Kawasaki C-2

History

The squadron retired its last NAMC YS-11P aircraft in May 2017 after nearly 30 years of operations.^[3] YS-11P 52-1152 is exhibited in the Aichi Museum of Flight.^[4]

In November 2017 a Kawasaki C-2 of the squadron deployed to the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti in Africa for the first time.^[5][6]

Tail marking

Tail marking (2012)

The squadron's tail markings show the story of the Hare of Inaba.

Aircraft operated

403rd Squadron NAMC YS-11P in flight

• NAMC YS-11P (1978–2017)
• Kawasaki C-1 (1979–2018)
• Kawasaki C-2 (2017–present)