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Assets of the JASDF [Japan Air Self Defence Force] are currently visiting RAF Coningsby. Their visit is part of their 'Atlantic Eagles' deployment, incorporating four countries, USA, Canada, UK, Germany. This is the first JASDF fighter deployment to Europe in its 71 year history.

Link:-
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/ja ... to-europe/

Two Kawasaki C-2 transports and two Mitsubishi F-15J 'Eagles' are at RAF Coningsby. Two tankers, a Boeing KC-767J and a Boeing KC-46 flew into RAF Brize Norton.

Link:-
https://www.key.aero/article/jasdfs-atl ... nds-europe

The JASDF assets depart the UK on Tuesday 23rd for Laage, Germany. They will be escorted into Laage by Luftwaffe Eurofighters.

RAF Coningsby - the first C-2 transport arrived Wednesday 17th, the two F-15J's and second C-2 on Thursday 18th. Both F-15J's were refuelled immediately after arrival and then . . . towed away and parked behind closed doors in a hangar . . . so if you didn't see them at arrival, you will only see them on departure . . . . Many aviation enthusiasts had sad faces because not everyone can go 'spotting' during weekdays and workhours.

I intend to also see their departures next Tuesday 23rd. Will update . . .

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Great photos, thanks for posting!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

First departure Monday 22 Sept:-

The first of the two JASDF C-2 transports departed Mon 22nd. I arrived to find one of the F-15J's being towed around, and once done, it was back into the hangar . . . fortunately I got a few shots of it parading past it's mates . . .
Adding to the view from the fenceline was a RAF Airbus A-400, parked behind the two Kawasaki C-2's - very nice.

Next the crew bus arrived and some of the JASDF personnel went to have a look into the cargo hold of the parked RAF A-400. Back to the C-2 they went, various walk arounds, pre-flight checks, happy snaps for memories, and very friendly waves and hand heart shapes were given to the guys and gals at the fenceline - yes their acknowledgement was noted! The strobes started blinking, start-up followed and down the runway it taxied for take-off to Laage, Germany. Time on site from 12:00 to 13:40, in beautiful sunny weather.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Departures day, Tuesday 23 September for all remaining JASDF assets from RAF Coningsby, to dual-use Rostock-Laage, in northern Germany.

The sight of a handful of JASDF assets at RAF Coningsby made for a most welcome viewing experience, in some mostly good weather. The fenceline at Crash Gate 1 (western perimeter) was filling up by 08:00, and certainly the prime spots were by then all taken - ladders in place that is. Talk along the fence was of the already full main car park at the southern perimeter - Japanese Air Force planes are rare in Europe!
At 09:23 the main act presented itself when a Luftwaffe Eurofighter EF2000 appeared round the corner from the main apron, followed by the two JASDF F-15J Eagles. The rear was brought up a two-seater Luftwaffe EF2000. The arrangement was for the two Luftwaffe Eurofighters to escort the F-15J's to the German base.

So, here we are, my take of the F-15J departures. I did not stay for the departure of the remaining C-2 transporter, which left at midday after collecting all remaining gear and ground personnel. The brown bear on the tail of the F-15J is the squadron emblem for the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of the 2nd Air Wing of the JASDF, located at Chitose Air Base in Hokkaido, Japan.

Links:-
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/ja ... to-europe/

https://www.key.aero/article/jasdfs-atl ... nds-europe











A big hearted message from the KOKU JIEITAI

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums