{{Short description|Fleet Escort Force of the JMSDF}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Fleet Escort Force | native_name = 護衛艦隊 | image = File:Fleet Escort Force.jpg | caption = Fleet Escort Force emblem | dates = 1 September 1961 – present | country = Japan | allegiance = Japan | branch = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | type = | role = Fleet | size = approx 10,000 people | command_structure = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | garrison = Yokosuka | garrison_label = | nickname = | patron = | motto = | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = | anniversaries = 1 September | decorations = | battle_honours = <!-- Commanders --> | notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia --> | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | website = https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/efhq/ | current_commander = Vice Admiral Goka Yoshihiro | commander1_label = Commander | ceremonial_chief = | ceremonial_chief_label = Chief of Staff | colonel_of_the_regiment = | colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Operation Chief Staff | commander4 = | commander4_label = }}
The {{nihongo|'''Fleet Escort Force'''|護衛艦隊|Goei Kantai|lead=yes}} is the main force of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and played a central role in the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which mainly consists of escort vessels and various other ships. Together with the Fleet Submarine Force, Mine Warfare Force, and Fleet Air Force, it is responsible for Japan's maritime defense.<ref name="www.clearing.mod.go.jp">{{Cite web |title=〇海上自衛隊の部隊、機関等にお |url=http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/e_fd/1975/ez19750813_03614_000.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105111603/http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/kunrei_data/e_fd/1975/ez19750813_03614_000.pdf |archive-date=2013-01-05 |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=www.clearing.mod.go.jp}}</ref>
==History== On September 4, 2024, it is reported that the JMSDF will abolish the FEF with the MWF and replace it with the Fleet Surface Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/09/japan-maritime-self-defense-force-set-for-major-organizational-change/|title=Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Set for Major Organizational Change|first=Kosuke|last=Takahashi|date=September 4, 2024}}</ref> The FEF name will be retired by March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2026/02/from-4-flotillas-to-3-inside-the-japan-maritime-self-defense-forces-historic-overhaul/|title=From 4 Flotillas to 3: Inside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Historic Overhaul|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref>
== Organization== The Fleet Escort Force command center is located in the Funakoshi district of Yokosuka base (7-73, Funakoshi-cho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture), and the commander of the escort fleet is assigned by the officer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=自衛隊法施行令 {{!}} e-Gov法令検索|url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=329CO0000000179|access-date=2021-05-31|website=elaws.e-gov.go.jp}}</ref> The commander of the escort fleet manages the training of the escort fleet, which consists of a total of 48 escort ships and a large number of auxiliary ships, exclusively as a force provider (training manager), and is a force user (situation handling) that operates the escort ship in an emergency. (Responsible person) It is responsible for providing the commander of the Self-Defense Fleet and the subordinate corps to each district general manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/sf/about/organization.html|title = 組織・編成-自衛艦隊 海上自衛隊}}</ref> As of March 2020, four escort groups (Escort Flotilla) have been formed as the main force under the escort fleet.<ref name="www.clearing.mod.go.jp" /> Each escort group commander is assigned by an assistant sea general, and each escort group consists of one helicopter-mounted escort ship (DDH), one missile escort ship (DDG), and two general-purpose escort ships (DDH group); as well as two Escort Divisions (DDG Group) consisting of one missile escort ship (DDG) and three general-purpose escort ships (Escort Division), a total of 32 escort ships are prepared for emergencies.<ref name="www.clearing.mod.go.jp" /><ref name="Japan Military Review-2008">{{Cite news|date=1 June 2008|title=Military Research June 2008 Separate Volume, Maritime Self-Defense Force General-purpose Escort Ship & World Combatant Ship Technology|work=Japan Military Review}}</ref>
By having four escort groups, one or two escort groups can always be trained in a highly trained state while performing periodic training (rotation), and a ready response system against threats can be established. Ships must undergo regular maintenance, repairs and refurbishment work in the dock, and after a long period of docking, crew retraining is required, and if there are new ships or new equipment, proficiency training This kind of rotation is needed to maintain maritime defense capabilities at all times, as there is a need for long-term pelagic dispatches for courtesy visits to foreign countries and joint military operations.<ref name="Japan Military Review-2008" />
In addition to the 32 ships of the 4 escort group, a total of 16 escort ships (small B-type escort ship and old general-purpose escort ship) are deployed in 5 escorts under the direct control of the escort fleet. The local general manager will operate it. In the Summary of Defense Plan for 2014 and beyond, the number of escorts under the direct control of the escort fleet will be expanded to six, and the total number of escort vessels will be increased to 54.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/guideline/2014/pdf/20131217.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2021-05-31 |archive-date=2020-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929070952/https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/agenda/guideline/2014/pdf/20131217.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Escort Flotilla 1 (Yokosuka) ===
* Escort Squadron 1: DDH-183 ''Izumo''; DDG-179 ''Maya''; DD-101 ''Murasame''; DD-107 ''Ikazuchi'' (Yokosuka) * Escort Squadron 5: DDG-173 ''Kongō''; DD-108 ''Akebono''; DD-109 ''Ariake''; DD-115 A''kizuki'' (Sasebo)
=== Escort Flotilla 2 (Sasebo) ===
* Escort Squadron 2: DDH-182 ''Ise''; DDG-178 ''Ashigara''; DD-102 Harusame; DD-119 ''Asahi'' (Sasebo) * Escort Squadron 6: DDG-174 ''Kirishima''; DD-110 ''Takanami''; DD-111 ''Onami''; DD-116 ''Teruzuki'' (Yokosuka)
=== Escort Flotilla 3 (Maizuru) ===
* Escort Squadron 3: DDH-181 ''Hyūga''; DDG-175 ''Myōkō''; DDG-177 ''Atago''; DD-118 ''Fuyuzuki'' (Maizuru) * Escort Squadron 7: DD-103 ''Yudachi''; DD-112 ''Makinami''; DD-114 ''Suzunami''; DD-120 ''Shiranui'' (Ominato) === Escort Flotilla 4 (Kure) ===
* Escort Squadron 4: DDH-184 ''Kaga''; DD-105 ''Inazuma''; DD-106 ''Samidare''; DD-113 ''Sazanami'' (Kure) * Escort Squadron 8: DDG-172 ''Shimakaze''; DDG-176 ''Chōkai''; DD-104 ''Kirisame''; DD-117 ''Suzutsuki'' (Sasebo)
=== Naval District Forces ===
* 11th Escort Squadron: DD-152 ''Yamagiri''; DD-153 ''Yūgiri''; DD-154 ''Amagiri'' (Yokosuka) * 12th Escort Squadron: DD-158 ''Umigiri''; DE-229 ''Abukuma''; DE-234 ''Tone'' (Kure) * 13th Escort Squadron: DD-157 ''Sawagiri''; DE-230 ''Jintsū'' (Sasebo) * 14th Escort Squadron: DD-151 ''Asagiri''; DE-232 ''Sendai''; DD-156 ''Setogiri'' (Maizuru) * 15th Escort Squadron: DD-155 ''Hamagiri''; DE-231 ''Ōyodo''; DE-233 ''Chikuma'' (Ominato) 1st Replenishment-at-Sea Squadron (Yokosuka): AOE-422 ''Towada'' (Kure); AOE-423 ''Tokiwa'' (Yokosuka); AOE-424 ''Hamana'' (Sasebo); AOE-425 ''Mashu'' (Maizuru); AOE-426 ''Omi'' (Sasebo)
1st Training Support Squadron: ATS-4202 ''Kurobe''; ATS-4203 ''Tenryu''; (Kure)
Fleet Training Command (Yokosuka)
== Citations == <references />
== External links ==
* [https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/efhq/ Escort Fleet]
{{Japan Self-Defense Forces}} {{Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Category:Naval history of Japan