603rd Squadron (JASDF)

The 603rd Squadron (第603飛行隊, dai-roku-zero-san-hikoutai) is a squadron of the Airborne Early Warning Surveillance Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.^[1][2] It is equipped with Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.^[3]

603rd Squadron
第603飛行隊
Active	April 20, 2014
Country	Japan
Allegiance	AEW Surveillance Group (JASDF)
Branch	Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Garrison/HQ	Naha Air Base
Aircraft flown
Electronic warfare	Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye

History

In the early 2010s the amount of air activity by China near Okinawa increased dramatically after Japan effectively nationalized the disputed Senkaku Islands, sparking a major backlash from China. Beginning in 2012 E-2C aircraft began deploying to Naha air base, and in 2014 the squadron was officially formed.^[4][5]

The unit was formed by taking around 130 personnel^[6] and four of the JASDF's 13 E-2C aircraft from 601st Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.^{[7][8][9][10]}

On April 12, 2015 one of the squadron's aircraft made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base due to electrical problems.^[11]

Tail markings

Unlike many other JASDF squadrons, the squadron's aircraft generally have a marking on their forward fuselage instead of on the tail. The marking is of a bat grasping lightning bolts, retained from the aircraft's time with the 601st Squadron.^[12]

Aircraft operated

• Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (2014–)