Article -Phantom Pharewell - Hyakuri AB Japan - 2019

Phantom Pharewell - Hyakuri AB Japan

Hyakuri Air Base (AB), Ibaraki prefecture, is 90 miles North of Japan's capital Tokyo and operates the last two of the Japan Air Self-defence Force (JASDF) Phantom squadrons. Gifu Air Base in central Japan also operates nine operational F-4EJs, but unlike the fighter and recce Phantoms of Hyakuri these are for testing and development purposes only. Hyakuri AB forms part of the Central Air Defence Force, with the 7 Kokudan (Air Wing) and is the primary jet fighter base operating in around the Tokyo area. The base also supports the local Rescue Air Wing (Koku Kyunandan) in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role, they operate with the UH-60J Black Hawk helicopter and U-125A jet transport, the Koku Kyunandan are assigned to the Air Support Command.

In 1968, the JASDF purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms and 14 RF-4Es. Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 reconnaissance RF-4Es were imported. Today the JASDF has only around 40 operational F-4EJ and RF-4EJ Phantoms in service. In 2011 the replacement for the Phantom was chosen, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. The scheduled retirement date was 2017 for the veteran Phantom but delays in the F-35 program has meant that the JASDF Phantom is still flying, protecting the shores of Japan, much to the delight of every photographer around the world.

During 2018 the four F-35As that were test flying at Luke were delivered to Japan and also Mitsubishi built F-35s under license started to be delivered to Misawa AB Northern Japan. In March of 2019 Hyakuri AB lost the first of it's remaining operational squadrons, the 302nd "Hikotai" (Tactical Fighter Squadron) was transitioned to a F-35A Squadron. Hyakuri AB held an Airshow on the 2nd December 2018 to mark the retirement of the F-4EJs of the 302nd "Samurais".

The F-4EJs of the 301st "Hikotai" (the first ever Phantom squadron) and the RF-4EJs of the 501st "Hikotai" (photo reconnaissance Phantoms) will see service until March 2020, then no more will these aircraft be seen. After over 50 years of service it is almost time to say "Pharewell" to the Phantom. An airshow has recently been scheduled for the 1st December 2019 to mark the end of the type, i will certainly be there to say goodbye to the Phantom.

All photography was taken from "the shrine" which is a small memorial set within the grounds of the Air Base, just on the edge of the base ramps and taxiways below. My first visit to the shrine, it certainly will not be my last.

Author and Photography Mark Forest