Shimofusa Air Base

Shimofusa Air Base (下総航空基地) is a military aerodrome of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is located 5.4 NM east of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The base straddles the border between Kashiwa and Kamegaya cities.

Operations
JMSDF Shimofusa Air Base is currently the headquarters of the JMSDF Simofusa Air Training Group, which is equipped with Kawasaki-Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and NAMC YS-11 training aircraft. It is also host to the JMSDF 3rd Service School and a detachment from the JMSDF Communications Command.

History
JMSDF Shimofusa Air Base was initially founded as an airfield field for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in 1945 during the closing stages of World War II by appropriating the Shimofusa Country Club and constructing runways on what was once the premier golf course in the Tokyo area. On the surrender of Japan, the air field was occupied by the United States Army Air Force and was designated Shiroi Air Base, after the nearby town of Shiroi. Between 1947 and 1959, it was under the control of the USAF Fifth Air Force. In 1959, it was returned to Japanese control, and became a training facility for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The runway and control tower were rebuilt in 1962, and the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 4 was stationed at the base. In 1973, the JMSDF Air Training Command was relocated to Shimofusa, and the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 4 was relocated to Atsugi Air Base. The JMSDF Helicopter Rescue Squadron has been stationed at Shimofusa since 1993.

Major USAF Units Assigned (1950s)

 * Wings
 * 6920th Security Wing


 * Groups
 * 524th Aircraft Control and Warning Group
 * 528th Aircraft Control and Warning Group
 * 597th Aircraft Control and Warning Group
 * 6002nd Air Intelligence Service Group
 * 6902nd Special Communications Group


 * Squadrons
 * 711th Air Transport Squadron
 * 6004th Air Intelligence Service Squadron
 * 6020th Air Base Squadron
 * 6924th Radio Squadron Mobile
 * 6926th Radio Squadron Mobile


 * Others
 * Det. 4, Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
 * Det. 10, 1st Air Postal Squadron