Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)

Fleet Air Force
航空集団
Fleet Air Force emblem
Active1 September 1961
Country Japan
Branch Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
TypeNaval aviation
Size11,000
Garrison/HQNaval Air Facility Atsugi
Anniversaries1 September
Insignia
Roundel

In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Fleet Air Force (Japanese: 航空集団, romanized: kōkū shūdan) is its naval aviation branch, responsible for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft and headquartered in Naval Air Facility Atsugi. As of 2012, it was equipped with over 200 fixed-wing aircraft and 150 helicopters. These aircraft operate from bases throughout Japan, as well as from the JMSDF's ships.:66