Back in April 2014, my group had the pleasure of visiting one of Japan's "Super Bases", known as  Nyutaburu Air Base, located in Southern Japan. From 0900am to dusk the air operations on base were very busy, with multiple F-15, F-4, and T-4 launches and recoveries. For our day of photography, we were blessed with good weather (for the morning anyway), great activity, and plenty of variety.

This major base in the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) hosted the following squadrons:

301st TFS  flying the F-4EJ & T-4

305th TFS  flying the F-15J/DJ & T4

TFTG (Tactical Fighter Training Group) Aggressor Squadron F-15J/DJ & T-4

ARW (Air Rescue Wing) U-125A & UH-60J

23rd Fighter Training Squadron F-15J/DJ & T-4

In the autumn of 2014, the TFTG was relocated to Komatsu Air Base on the North West coast of Japan, and the 301st TFS flying the F-4EJ Kai was also relocated to Hyakuri Air Base in 2016. 

As of April 2022, the F-4EJ Kai and RF-4EJ were retired from active service in Japan. Currently, as of 2022, this "Super Base" is being modernized to house Japan's new Air Defense Fighter, the F-35A Lightning II.

Author / Photography Mark Forest, Stewart Toone, and Mark Zuidmulder.