301st Tactical Fighter Squadron (JASDF)

[2][3] Prior to the 301st being formed as a full-fledged unit, it originally came into being as the Provisional F-4EJ squadron with only two aircraft in service on August 1, 1972.

[5] On March 2, 1985, it moved to Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu, swapping bases with the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron which was flying the F-104J Starfighter but was due to convert to the F-15J and F-15DJ Eagle at Hyakuri.

[5] By 2016, the 301st TFS was tasked primarily with an air-to-ground mission, with its secondary role being air-to-air.

[9] On December 15, 2020, the 301st TFS completed relocation to Misawa Air Base and became operational with the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-35A Lightning II replacing their F-4EJs.

The frog is based on the Japanese common toad, which is found by Mount Tsukuba nearby Hyakuri airbase where the squadron was formed.

F-4EJ Kai 07-8434 at Nyutabaru Air Base , 2009.
Tail marking on an F-4EJ, 2016.
301st TFS Kawasaki T-4 06-5630 at MCAS Iwakuni , 2005.