is a squadron of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It operates MCH-101 aircraft.
As of 2016 there were seven MCH-101 aircraft in service with the squadron and plans for a total of 11. There were also discussions for the purchase for over a dozen additional aircraft.
History Two retired MH-53E helicopters of the squadron were sold to the US in 2015 for their components. The US was running short of parts for its own fleet of the aging aircraft.
Current aircraft 10 AgustaWestland MCH-101 helicopters (2008–present)Defence of Japan 2022 (Annual White Paper). p.53. Japan Ministry of Defence
Aircraft operated
KV-107II-3/KV-107IIA-3 (1974-1990) Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon (1990-2017)
References