501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (JASDF)

The 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (第501飛行隊) is a squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with RF-4 Phantom II and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.

History
The 501st is Japan's only tactical reconnaissance squadron. In addition to its defense role it has also been deployed in response to disasters, such as the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.

The squadron formed at Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture, with 10 North American RF-86F Sabre aircraft on December 1, 1961. On March 26th, 1962 the 18th and final F-86F was delivered. On August 31, 1962 it moved to Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture. At this time the squadron also had two Lockheed T-33A and one North American T-28B Trojan aircraft. The aircraft's armament of six .50 calibre machine guns was removed to install the cameras, so fake gun ports were painted on.

In 1972, the JASDF decided that the RF-86Fs were replaced by 14 RF-4E aircraft and that an RF-4E detachment to be formed at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki Prefecture. On October 1, 1974 the first RF-4E was deployed to Hyakuri. In 1975 an "Iruma detachment" continued with RF-86Fs but on March 25th 1977 this was dissolved.

From 1981 the F-15J Eagle began entering service with the JASDF, replacing the F-4EJ Phantom as the JASDF's main fighter. Starting in 1992 a total of 15 of the surplus F-4EJ fighter aircraft (seven F-4EJ and eight F-4EJ Kai) were modified to RF-4EJ status.

There have been plans to replace the aging RF-4E and RF-EJ Kai aircraft with reconnaissance versions of the F-15J / F-15DJ aircraft. There were plans for Toshiba to produce a reconnaissance pod, but this was not expected to reach the ministry of defense's standards, so the contract was cancelled.

After the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami the squadron was used to survey damage.

It 2016 it was announced that Lockheed Martin will work with Japanese firms to produce a synthetic aperture radar pod to be used by Japan's F-15s.

Squadron emblem/Tail markings
Since 1961 the squadron's emblem has been the American cartoon character Woody Woodpecker wearing a bowtie. The use of a woodpecker also references a battle tactic of Takeda Shingen from the 16th century battles of Kawanakajima.

Then the squadron was equipped with RF-86 Sabres the aircraft wore a blue and yellow chevron on their tails. The replacement RF-4Es also sported this design, until it was replaced by the woodpecker emblem on February 25, 1981.

Reconnaissance aircraft

 * North American RF-86F Sabre（1961-1977）
 * North American T-28B Trojan（1961-1963）
 * McDonnell Douglas RF-4E（1974-）
 * McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai（1993-）

Liaison aircraft

 * Lockheed T-33A（1961-1994）
 * Kawasaki T-4（1990-）

In popular culture
The squadron appeared in the 2006 film Sinking of Japan.