Hyakuri Air Base is located about 80 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. The base shares part of its facilities with the civilian Ibaraki Airport. For many years, Hyakuri Air Base was home to the (R)F-4EJ Phantom II of the JASDF. Unfortunately, the last F-4s were retired in 2020. On 20 November 2020, the final ceremonial flight of the F-4s of 301 Hikotai took place, marking the end of 48 years of loyal service by the F-4 in Japan. Nowadays, the beautiful blue Mitsubishi F-2 (nickname “Viper Zero”) is stationed at Hyakuri.

Squadrons
The F-4 units at Hyakuri Air Base were divided into three squadrons. After the retirement of the F-4s, the reconnaissance unit 501 Hikotai was disbanded, while 301 and 302 Hikotai were relocated to Misawa Air Base and re-equipped with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
At the same time that 301 and 302 Hikotai moved to Misawa, 3 Hikotai transferred in the opposite direction. The squadron relocated to Hyakuri with its Mitsubishi F-2A and F-2B aircraft, making the base its new home. 3 Hikotai is the unit that has operated the F-2 for the longest period of time. In March 2001, the squadron received its first aircraft.

Mitsubishi F-2
The Mitsubishi F-2 was developed jointly by Japan and the United States. The aircraft is based on the F-16C Block 40 Fighting Falcon, but features a larger wing, advanced Japanese avionics, and improved radar systems. The Mitsubishi F-2 is the successor to the Mitsubishi F-1. The F-1 served with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force between 1975 and 2006.

We also visited Hyakuri Air Base in 2018. Our report can be found here.