8th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)

The 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron (第8飛行隊 (dai-hachi-hikoutai)) is a squadron of the 8th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Tsuiki Air Base, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with Mitsubishi F-2 and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.^[1][2]

8th Tactical Fighter Squadron
第8飛行隊
8 Sqn Mitsubishi F-2As (2011)
Active	October 29, 1960-present
Country	Japan
Branch	Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Part of	Western Air Defense Force, 8th Air Wing
Garrison/HQ	Tsuiki Air Base
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Mitsubishi F-2
Trainer	Kawasaki T-4

History

Mitsubishi T-2 (1994)

Tail markings

Tail marking (2017)

The squadron's tail marking is of a black leopard.

In popular culture

The squadron appeared in the 1993 anime film Patlabor 2: The Movie and in the 2016 film Shin Godzilla.

Aircraft operated

McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Phantom II Kais (2002)

Fighter aircraft

• North American F-86F Sabre (1960-1980)
• Mitsubishi F-1 (1980-1997)
• McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai (1997-2009)
• Mitsubishi F-2 (2008-present)

Liaison aircraft

• Lockheed T-33A (1959-1992)
• Mitsubishi T-2 (1981-2006)
• Kawasaki T-4 (1991-present)

See also

• Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force