Air Development Squadron 51 (JMSDF)

{{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Air Development Squadron 51 (VX-51) | native_name = 第51航空隊 | image =File:JMSDF 51fs logo.gif | alt = | caption = | dates = 1 September 1961 | country = {{flag|Japan}} | countries = | allegiance = | branch = {{Navy|Japan}} | type = | role = | size = | command_structure = Fleet Air Force | garrison = Naval Air Facility Atsugi | garrison_label = | nickname = | patron = | motto = | colors =  | colors_label =  | march = | mascot = | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | disbanded = | flying_hours = | website =  | current_commander = | commander1 = | commander1_label = | commander2 = | commander2_label = | commander3 = | commander3_label = | commander4 = | commander4_label = | commander5 = | commander5_label = | commander6 = | commander6_label = | commander7 = | commander7_label = | commander8 = | commander8_label = | commander9 = | commander9_label = | notable_commanders =  | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_3_label = | identification_symbol_4 = | identification_symbol_4_label = | identification_symbol_5 = | identification_symbol_5_label =  | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = | aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_helicopter = SH-60J/K & USH-60K | aircraft_helicopter_attack = | aircraft_helicopter_cargo = | aircraft_helicopter_multirole = | aircraft_helicopter_observation = | aircraft_helicopter_transport = | aircraft_helicopter_trainer = | aircraft_helicopter_utility = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = P-1 & UP-1, P-3C & UP-3C | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = | aircraft_tanker = | aircraft_general = }} {{nihongo|'''Air Development Squadron 51'''|第51航空隊|daigojuuichikoukuutai}} (which is also referred to as '''Fleet Air Squadron 51''' or '''VX-51''')<ref>[http://www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/news/maritime_strategy/us-jmsdf-perform-formation-flight/article_6ae8df8e-755f-5233-b556-970cbef4b57e.html US, JMSDF perform formation flight June 30, 2016] ''Military News'' Retrieved February 9, 2017</ref> is a unit in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force. It is a part of the Fleet Air Force and is based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Kanagawa prefecture.<ref>[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/atsugi/squadron/index.html Japanese Ministry of Defence: Atsugi NAF Squadrons] Retrieved February 9, 2017 {{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref>Thompson, Paul [http://www.j-hangarspace.jp/jmsdf-order-of-battle JMSDF - Order of Battle] Retrieved February 11, 2017</ref><ref>[http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p309261/pdf/ch101.pdf Airborne Ocean Surveillance] Retrieved February 9, 2017</ref>

==History== ===Founding and early history=== [[File:Lc-90 01l.jpg|thumb|51 Sqn LC-90]] In 1961 the squadron was formed at Hachinohe Air Base in Aomori Prefecture with six Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune and six Grumman S-2F Tracker aircraft as part of Fleet Air Wing 2. In 1963 it moved to Shimofusa Air Base in Chiba Prefecture and came under the authority of Fleet Air Wing 4.

In 1966 it received P-2J aircraft. In 1968 a detachment at MCAS Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture was established. In 1968 the squadron was removed from Fleet Air Wing 4's command and was placed directly under the control of the Fleet Air Force. In 1981 it moved to Atsugi Naval Air Facility in Kanagawa Prefecture

===After move to Atsugi=== [[File:JMSDF UP-3C Orion.jpg|thumb|UP-3C Orion (2017)]] Later in 1981 the squadron received Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft, and in 1983 the Iwakuni detachment was disbanded. In 1989 the squadron received Sikorsky MH-53E aircraft and in 1991 it received SH-60J aircraft. In 1995 it received a UP-3C for equipment testing.

===21st century=== [[File:JMSDF USH-60K Seahawk.jpg|thumb|XSH-60K (USH-60K) (2016)]] In 2002 it received XSH-60K (USH-60K) aircraft. In 2006 it received MCH-101 aircraft and in 2013 it received Kawasaki P-1 aircraft. In 2014 it received Lockheed C-130R Hercules aircraft.

During efforts to sell the aircraft to the UK, a pair of P-1s including one belonging to of the squadron<ref name = "diplo 2015">Gady, Franz-Stefan. [https://thediplomat.com/2015/07/japan-seeks-to-export-its-new-sub-hunting-plane/ "Japan Seeks To Export its New Sub-Hunting Plane."] ''The Diplomat'', 9 July 2015.</ref> were present for the 2015 Royal International Air Tattoo, one aircraft performing a flying display while the other was on static display; this was the first time that any Japanese military aircraft had performed in a European flight display.<ref>[http://www.airtattoo.com/news/2015/jul/07/japan-makes-air-tattoo-history "Japan Makes Air Tattoo History."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707193719/http://www.airtattoo.com/news/2015/jul/07/japan-makes-air-tattoo-history |date=2015-07-07 }} ''Royal Air Force Charitable Trust'', 7 July 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/13378150.Japanese_patrol_planes_to_star_at_Royal_International_Air_Tattoo/ "Japanese patrol planes to star at Royal International Air Tattoo."] ''Swindon Advertised'', 8 July 2015.</ref> After their UK appearance, the P-1s proceeded to the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti at Ambouli International Airport, Djibouti, to continue with operational trials within tropical and desert climates.<ref name="diplo 2015"/><ref>[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/info/news/201507/20150707-02.pdf "P－1哨戒機のジブチで運用試験実施及び英国ロイヤル・ンターナ及び英国ロイヤル・ンターナ及び英国ロイヤル・ンターナショナル・エアタトゥーへの参加について."] ''Japanese Ministry of Defense'', 7 July 2015.</ref>

==Squadron structure== The squadron is composed of two flights: * 511th Flight is equipped with fixed-wing aircraft: Kawasaki P-1 & UP-1, Lockheed P-3C & UP-3C Orions * 513th flight is equipped with helicopters: Sikorsky SH-60J/K & USH-60K Seahawks

==References== {{Commons category}} {{reflist}}

Category:Aviation in Japan Category:Units and formations of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1961