‘PHINAL PHLING’ FOR 302 HIKOTAI

THE JAPAN AIR Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) 302 Hikotai performed its last quick reaction alert (QRA) mission with the F-4EJ Kai on March 2, 2019, handing over the air defense of Tokyo to its sister squadron 301 Hikotai. The Phantom II entered JASDF service in 1974 and the _ nal aircraft are located at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki prefecture, some 70 miles (113km) north of Tokyo. Both of 302 Hikotai’s special-scheme Phantoms during their final paired take-off on March 19.