12 air fleets and 260 fighters are maintained and, aerial refueling and transport troops have been newly established.(JASDF[Japan Air Force])

Fighters can be called the central core of air defense. JASDF fighter troops are comprised of 12 air fleets and about 260 fighters in order to quickly respond to various situations. For the immediate and appropriate measures during an airspace incursion, etc., 7 new fighters will replace the F-4 as part of the new-mid-term defense plan, while considering the financial conditions. Also, since Japan is geographically made up of many islands, in order to appropriately handle an invasion to these islands, transport aircraft (C-X) will replace C-1 aircraft, rescue helicopter and C-130H transport aircraft will be equipped with aerial fuel-receiving and refueling functions, and the aerial refueling and transport troops will be newly established with the deployment of aerial refueling and transport aircraft (KC-767).

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/en/mission/boueiryoku.html

Systems to handle new threats, such as ballistic missiles,(JASDF[Japan Air Force])

"Airspace Incursion"

JASDF constantly monitors Japan and its surrounding airspace, by national radar sites, airborne early-warning aircraft (E-2C), and airborne warning air control aircraft (E-767), for around-the-clock preparedness. When an aircraft is detected which may intrude into Japan airspace, fighters scramble to approach the aircraft, assess the situation, and take any needed action. If there is an incursion into Japan airspace, a warning to leave the airspace is issued.
"Response to New Threats"

In the event of an incoming ballistic missile, the Aegis ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, radar by JASDF, Patriots (Surface-to-Air Guided Missiles), and the command and communication systems work in an integrated manner to destroy it. In the event of an armed attack by guerrillas or a special assault team, quick detection by aircraft and interception over the ocean is attempted.

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/en/mission/boueiryoku.html

Results of Transport Activities by the Iraq Reconstruction Assistance by the dispatched Air Transport Squadron(JASDF[Japan Air Force])

Results of Transport Activities by the Iraq Reconstruction Assistance by the dispatched Air Transport Squadron

According Iraq Reconstruction Assistance Special Measures Law, the dispatched troop of ASDF, has begun transport activity of humanitarian supplies, etc by C-130 Aircraft, between airports within Iraq, based in a Kuwait airport, in March 3, 2004. In the future, details will be renewed weekly.

●Number of Transports* :698 times
●Weight of Transported Supplies :595.8t
●Classification of Supplies, etc.

2004.03.03-2006.07.19
Number of Ground Self-Defense Force Officials / Daily Commodities and other Supplies
Supplies / Number of Officials of each related Country and Agency

2006.07.20-2008.04.24
Daily Commodities and other Supplies
Supplies / Number of Officials of each related Country and Agency

* "Number of Transports" stated here is counted by the number of days of transport.

Exercise (JMSDF[JapanNavy])

The Maritime Self-Defense Force conducts exercises with the objective of improving the knowledge and skills required for each member to perform their duties, and refining the comprehensive ability required to achieve the mission of the unit.
The first stage of exercise focuses on creating teamwork for each ship and aircraft, which are the basic units of combat strength. Subsequently, this training progresses to applied unit training after the members demonstrate improved proficiency. The size of the units increase, and exercise is then conducted between ships or in tandem between ships and aircraft. We also conduct comprehensive exercise, including the annual exercise that enables larger units to work together.

http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/english/exercises/index.html

Actual Air Transport Conditions supporting the US【JASDF[Japan Air Force]】

Actual Air Transport Conditions supporting the US
As of Nov 01, 2007

Domestic Flights 366 times
Oversea Flights 15 times

Activities in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere(JMSDF[Japan Navy])

In view of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the Japanese government enacted the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law to provide all the assistance and cooperation possible with in Constitutional limits.

In accordance with the law, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has been conducting cooperation and support activities since November 2001. The activities have primarily involved supplying fuel to the U.S. naval vessels and other nations’ vessels participating in maritime interdiction operations in the Indian Ocean. These activities continue to the present day.

It is worth noting that the U.S. naval vessels to which we have supplied fuel in the Indian Ocean have achievedsignificant success with their maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf and other locations. To cite just one example, since December 2003
these ships have confiscated more than nine tons of narcotics from suspicious vessels and discovered large quantities of small arms and portable anti-tank rockets.

http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/english/activities/index.html

CMS message (Admiral Akahoshi JMSDF[Japan Navy] )

On 24 March 2008, I was appointed as Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

　　　Amid the rapidly changing situations both at home and abroad, proper shape of Japan’s defense posture and the Maritime Self-Defense Force is widely questioned. Under this particular circumstance, the appointment to Chief of Staff makes me bear firmly in mind the heavy responsibility of being at the helm of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. However our surrounding situations change, importance of protecting maritime security is permanent. I will do everything I can with all the members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to carry out missions of protecting maritime security, the life-line of Japan.

　　　The Maritime Self-Defense Force has recently caused several problems including a serious accident and people’s trust in us is largely shaken.

　　　It is needles to say that our duty is to carry out missions as servants of Japan and its people with resolution to devote our own life at any time in order to fulfill mandate from the people. The Maritime Self-Defense Force must be a strong, trustworthy defense force that can swiftly respond under any circumstance to requirements of the Japanese government and the people.

　　　With this engraved in mind, I have set two guidelines, “Proficiency and Readiness” and “Flexible response”, for the members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.

　　　“Proficiency and Readiness” – This is my intention to train the Maritime Self-Defense Force and maintain its proficiency and readiness at a highest standard so that it can quickly and smoothly accomplish assigned missions, without being affected by superficial changes of situations. This is also the tradition handed over since the establishment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and essential qualities required to be professional guardians of maritime security.

　　　“Flexible response” – The Maritime Self-Defense Force will implement the largest reform of its organization on 26 March 2008. We must not act on precedent and hold to custom blindly. We should give up a past-oriented mentality and should change what needs changing flexibly and boldly.

　　　I resolve that I sincerely accept the present situations in which we are in, bear responsibility of maintaining maritime security, share the honor of being a member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force that devotes himself/herself to this country and its people, make every member fully understand their missions and duties, do what needs doing orderly, make every effort to restore trust of the people, accomplish given tasks, and thus fulfill mandate from the people, united with all the members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.


CMS JMSDF
Admiral
Keiji Akahoshi

Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of Japan

Chief of Staff, Joint Staff

NAME ： Takashi Saito
RANK ： Admiral
DATE OF BIRTH ： 11,February,1948



BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

EDUCATION :
March 1970 National Defense Academy

PROMOTION:
1971 Ensign
January 1989 Captain
June 1995 Rear Admiral
January 2001 Vice Admiral
January 2005 Admiral

MILITARY CAREER:
December1992 Commander,Escort Division 22
July 1994 Head,Plans and Programs Division,MSO
July 1997 Director of Operations and Plans Department,MSO
January 2001 Commandant,Maizuru District
August 2002 Commandant,Yokosuka District
January 2005 Chief of Staff, JMSDF
August 2006 Present Assignment

http://www.mod.go.jp/jso/english/e-chief_of_staff.htm

Marines Report Osprey Has Proven Itself in Iraq

Marines Report Osprey Has Proven Itself in Iraq
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2008 - The MV-22 Osprey has proven itself in Iraq, and Marine officials are applying the lessons learned in the first operational deployment of the tilt-rotor aircraft to current operations.

"We're immensely proud of the Marines of Tilt-Rotor Squadron 263, who took on the challenging task of the first combat deployment of the Osprey," Lt. Gen. George J. Trautman, deputy commandant for Marine Corps aviation, said here today.

The MV-22 takes off and lands as a helicopter, but flies like an airplane.

Trautman, squadron commander Lt. Col. Paul Rock, MV-22 pilot Capt. Sara Faibisoff, and crew chief Sgt. Danny Herrman briefed Pentagon reporters on the squadron's deployment to Iraq. The unit deployed from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., in September 2007 and returned last week.

Trautman said the decision to send the MV-22 to Iraq was the right one. It gave the Marines and soldiers in Anbar province "the best assault support aircraft" ever made, he said.

The MV-22 handled every mission it was assigned, Rock said. The unit flew more than 2,500 sorties during its seven-month deployment, with each of its aircraft flying an average of 62 hours per month. Rock said before the deployment, officials forecast each MV-22 would fly around 50 hours per month.

The aircraft was easier to maintain than the CH-46 helicopters it replaced. The 46 is 1950s-based technology, and mechanics put in 24 hours of maintenance on those aircraft for every hour in the air. The MV-22 took about 9.5 hours of maintenance for every hour of flight.

The squadron deployed with 10 aircraft. "On any given day, about seven aircraft were mission ready," Rock said. "That was more than sufficient to meet our daily taskings."

The biggest surprise for the Marines was the vastly increased payload and greatly increased range the Osprey brings to the mission. Herrman said that, in loading the aircraft, he would often run out of cubic space rather than exceeding the weight the aircraft could handle.

The range and speed of the aircraft also were pleasant surprises. Faibisoff told of flying a medical evacuation mission on Christmas Day. She picked up a Marine with a ruptured appendix in a remote base well south of Al Asad Air Base. The aircraft was able to launch and get the Marine to medical help in 56 minutes -- well within the "golden hour," a rule of thumb that gives an ill or injured person the best chance for survival if treated within the first hour of being stricken.

"We were off deck within 15 minutes of receiving the call and headed for a zone about 90 miles south of Al Asad," she said.

Computer software makes the aircraft easy to fly, and it was able to handle the desert environment, Faibisoff said.

The aircraft flew raid operations and scout missions, and conducted tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel. The squadron also flew alert missions and casualty evacuations.

"The overwhelming majority of what we did was general support -- taking people, gear, combat equipment all over the very large battle space," Rock said.

The combat conditions in Anbar province had improved to such a degree that the aircraft never had to fly into a landing zone while hostilities were under way. Still, Rock said, squadron aircraft came under small-arms fire once and rocket fire once. "Taking advantage of the aircraft's performance (means that) somebody's opportunity to engage us is very short," he said.

The Marine Corps is looking at adding an all-aspect, all-quadrant weapon on the MV-22.

"The system we're looking at now with the [U.S.] Special Operations Command is an all-aspect weapon that would be mounted in the belly of the aircraft," Trautman said. The weapon will fire in any direction and be controlled by a gunner inside the airplane.

Another MV-22 squadron is operating at Al Asad Air Base today. The service will create two more squadrons each year.

"We're on a journey to exploit a new and revolutionary technology," Trautman said. "We're going to continue to learn lessons and we're going to continue to improve and we're going to work hard to exploit the capability this aircraft."

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49764