304th Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)

The squadron was founded on August 1, 1977, at Tsuiki Air Base in Fukuoka Prefecture flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ. A number of the early pilots had previously flown the North American F-86F Sabre with 10th Squadron, which had just been disbanded. During this period the JASDF still followed a system in which the numbering of a squadron was dependent on the type of aircraft it operated. Single digit squadrons operated the F-86F, 100-numbered squadrons operated the F-86D, 200-numbered squadrons operated the F-104J and the new squadrons operating the F-4 were numbered in the 300s. The pilots retrained on the F-4 and from 1978 were responsible for Quick Reaction Alert duties around Fukuoka.

In January 2016, the squadron relocated to Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture as part of the newly-formed 9th Air Wing.^[4]

The squadron's aircraft bear the likeness of a tengu on their tails. Tengu are goblin-like creatures from Japanese mythology. Known for their skill with swords and possession of mystical powers, they were said to inhabit Mount Hiko in Fukuoka, located near the squadron's original base at Tsuiki.^[3]

• Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force