The Fleet Escort Force command center is located in the Funakoshi district of Yokosuka base (7-73, Funakoshi-cho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture), and the commander of the escort fleet is assigned by the officer.[4] The commander of the escort fleet manages the training of the escort fleet, which consists of a total of 48 escort ships and a large number of auxiliary ships, exclusively as a force provider (training manager), and is a force user (situation handling) that operates the escort ship in an emergency. (Responsible person) It is responsible for providing the commander of the Self-Defense Fleet and the subordinate corps to each district general manager.[5] As of March 2020, four escort groups (Escort Flotilla) have been formed as the main force under the escort fleet.[1] Each escort group commander is assigned by an assistant sea general, and each escort group consists of one helicopter-mounted escort ship (DDH), one missile escort ship (DDG), and two general-purpose escort ships (DDH group); as well as two Escort Divisions (DDG Group) consisting of one missile escort ship (DDG) and three general-purpose escort ships (Escort Division), a total of 32 escort ships are prepared for emergencies.[1][6]
By having four escort groups, one or two escort groups can always be trained in a highly trained state while performing periodic training (rotation), and a ready response system against threats can be established. Ships must undergo regular maintenance, repairs and refurbishment work in the dock, and after a long period of docking, crew retraining is required, and if there are new ships or new equipment, proficiency training This kind of rotation is needed to maintain maritime defense capabilities at all times, as there is a need for long-term pelagic dispatches for courtesy visits to foreign countries and joint military operations.[6]
In addition to the 32 ships of the 4 escort group, a total of 16 escort ships (small B-type escort ship and old general-purpose escort ship) are deployed in 5 escorts under the direct control of the escort fleet. The local general manager will operate it. In the Summary of Defense Plan for 2014 and beyond, the number of escorts under the direct control of the escort fleet will be expanded to six, and the total number of escort vessels will be increased to 54.[7]
1st Replenishment-at-Sea Squadron (Yokosuka): AOE-422 Towada (Kure); AOE-423 Tokiwa (Yokosuka); AOE-424 Hamana (Sasebo); AOE-425 Mashu (Maizuru); AOE-426 Omi (Sasebo)
1st Training Support Squadron: ATS-4202 Kurobe; ATS-4203 Tenryu; (Kure)
Fleet Training Command (Yokosuka)
