Looking Around Today: Unprecedented! Japanese Fighters Rarely Fly to Four Countries in Europe and the Americas
In recent years, Japan's relationship with NATO has become increasingly close. The American "Defense News" reported on the 17th that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force is deploying an air force group including four F-15 fighter jets to U.S., Canadian, and NATO air bases in Europe, "supporting NATO through this unprecedented mission." According to the report, the operation named "Atlantic Eagle" is the first time that Japanese fighter jets have been deployed to Canada and Europe.
"Defense News" said that according to information released by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, a total of 180 personnel and related equipment from air self-defense bases across Japan participated in this special mission. The participating aircraft include four F-15 fighter jets from the 2nd Air Wing in Chitose City, one U.S.-made KC-767 refueling aircraft from the 1st Tactical Airlift Wing in Komaki City, one domestically produced C-2 transport aircraft and one U.S.-made KC-46 refueling aircraft from the 3rd Tactical Airlift Wing in Tottori Prefecture, as well as one C-2 transport aircraft from the 2nd Tactical Airlift Wing in Saitama Prefecture.
On September 14, four F-15 fighter jets painted with the special operation marking "Atlantic Eagle" took off from the Chitose Air Self-Defense Base in Hokkaido, accompanied by other aircraft, heading to the first stop of this operation - Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, USA. The American website "The Aviationist" reported on the 17th that after a short stay in Alaska, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft participating in the "Atlantic Eagle" mission had arrived at the second stop of the mission - Goose Bay Air Force Base in Canada that same day. In the future, they will cross the Atlantic Ocean to the Royal Air Force Boulton and Brize Norton Airbases in the UK, and finally to the Lag Airbase in Germany; then return along the original route, and are expected to complete this special operation on October 1st.
The website "The Aviationist" stated that the "Atlantic Eagle" is not an exercise, mainly of a visit and communication nature, to enhance "friendship" between Japan and NATO countries. Therefore, during their time in Europe, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force planes will have very few actual flights, possibly limited to transit flights between destinations.
The Japanese newspaper "Asahi Shimbun" quoted sources from the Japanese Ministry of Defense, who revealed that considering the risks involved in conducting exercises in unfamiliar areas after long-distance flights across Asia, North America, and Europe, the F-15 fighter jets will not conduct training activities with the host country during this mission.
American media believe that it is quite rare for Japanese military aircraft to visit Europe. The most notable previous case was the C-2 transport aircraft transporting relief supplies from Japan to Europe and then to Ukraine, as well as the domestically produced P-1 maritime patrol aircraft participating in a European air show due to its intention to be exported abroad. The report from the perspective of aviation enthusiasts said that Japanese fighter jets had never flown to Europe before, so even though the number of flights is limited, their arrival is sure to attract the attention of many aviation enthusiasts...
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843654315062347/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.