601st Squadron (JASDF)
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| 601st Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 第601飛行隊 | |
.jpg) 601st Sqn E-2C in flight (1994) | |
| Country | Japan |
| Allegiance | AEW Surveillance Group (JASDF) |
| Branch | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Misawa Air Base |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | Northrop Grumman E-2C/D Hawkeye/Advanced Hawkeye |
The 601st Squadron (Japanese: 第601飛行隊, Hepburn: dai601hikoutai) is a squadron of the Airborne Early Warning Surveillance Group of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.[1][2] It is equipped with Northrop Grumman E-2C/D Hawkeye aircraft.[3]
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 of the squadron began deploying to Naha Air Base as required, and in 2014 603rd Squadron was officially formed[4][5] by taking around 130 personnel[6] and four of the squadron's 13 E-2C aircraft from Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.[7][8][9][10] This left the 601st squadron with nine aircraft.
