Mine Countermeasures Helicoptor Squadron 111 (JMSDF)

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Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111
第111航空隊
Kawasaki MCH-101 (5).jpg
111 Squadron MCH-101
ActiveFebruary 16, 1974 - present
Country Japan
AllegianceFleet Air Force
Branch Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopterMCH-101

Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111 (第111航空隊, dai-111-koukuutai) is a squadron of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It operates MCH-101 aircraft.[1][2]

As of 2016 there were seven MCH-101 aircraft in service with the squadron and plans for a total of 11. There were also discussions for the purchase for over a dozen additional aircraft.[3]

History[]

Two retired MH-53E helicopters of the squadron were sold to the US in 2015 for their components. The US was running short of parts for its own fleet of the aging aircraft.[4][5]

Current aircraft[]

  • AgustaWestland MCH-101 (2008-present)

Aircraft operated[]

Sikorsky MH-53E Super Stallion of 111 Squadron

References[]

  1. ^ Thompson, Paul (September 1, 2017). "JMSDF Order of Battle". J-HangarSpace. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  2. ^ "航空機". Ministry of Defense (Japan). Retrieved October 13, 2017. (in Japanese)
  3. ^ "Japan eyeing fresh order of AW101 helicopters". flightglobal.com. June 22, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  4. ^ Hixenbaugh, Mike (May 28, 2015). "U.S. Navy buys old helicopters from Japan for spare parts". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  5. ^ "U.S. to buy parts for MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopters from Japan". Reuters. May 28, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
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