national

Japan scrambles F-15 as China jets near airspace

42 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

42 Comments
Login to comment

Get used to it, Japan. Gonna happen more and more as China becomes more assertive, and especially due to Japan's weak-kneed response to the fishing trawler incident.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan had better replace those aging F-15s.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese people will soon support a new defense budget to modernize the airplane and patrol ships to protect Japan's territories.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does anyone know what the Chinese planes were?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan had better replace those aging F-15s.

Hey they were good for Goose and Maverick!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Goose and Maverick flew the F-14 Tomcat, which is already out of service. :P

The F-15 like the F-18 has seen many upgrades and are still ok to be used.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The Chinese planes flew away,"

This is what's going to keep happening since China now knows that stepping a foot onto these islands means facing the United States.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They don't need spy planes,just need google earth.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This situation is insane..... those 2 spy planes have probably incorporated the technology acquired from that downed US spy plane where a PRC pilot went down crashing into it. JSDF will increasingly face US military technology as the PRC becomes more assertive.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I Wonder what the Chinese were flying? As well, I agree with the google Earth suggestion, now if only they had google in China.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

should have shot them down, imagine if japanese planes had approached china, oh the screaming

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mouse and cat. Silly waste of energy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's a good thing that the Japanese F-15 did not fall apart in the air because their airframes are so old and fatigued.

Anyways, Japan better purchase the F-35, because...

Planners in Tokyo have been alarmed by the rapidly advancing capabilities of neighboring China, which recently rolled out its next-generation stealth fighter, the much-touted Chengdu J-20. Though that fighter may be years away from actual operations, it is seen as a rival to the F-22 and far superior to what Japan now has.

Even without the J-20 shock, Japan was under increasing pressure to replace its aging F-4EJ and F-15 fighters. It had initially planned to make a decision in 2007, but has repeatedly pushed back its deadline amid budget and bureaucratic battles.

Associated Press Feb 22, 2011

0 ( +0 / -0 )

mushroomcloud

It's a good thing that the Japanese F-15 did not fall apart in the air because their airframes are so old and fatigued.

You exaggerate. JASDF's F-15Js were built as late as '97 and I guarantee you their maintenance program is better than most air forces.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USNinJapan2,

Actually mushroomcloud is pretty spot on. You say the F-15s where built as late as '97, they were actually built from 1981-1997. And their reliability isnt that good in '09 there was consecutive incidents where horizontal stabilizer fell off aircraft and another incident were engine parts fell of an aircraft.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USNinJapan2,

I'm referring to the F-15Js built in the 1980's. While JASDF's maintenance program is probably top notch, there have been reported cases of the entire fleet of F-15's grounded in Japan and the U.S. due to heavy flight fatigue on the airframe.

"The Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of F-15s, the service's premier fighter aircraft, after one of the planes disintegrated over eastern Missouri during a training mission, raising the possibility of a fatal flaw in the aging fighters' fuselage that could keep it out of the skies for months.

Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, ordered the grounding Saturday after initial reports indicated that the Missouri Air National Guard fighter plane had broken apart Friday in midair during a simulated dogfight. The pilot ejected and survived."

The L.A. Times, November 6, 2007

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Make no mistake, the F-15 is still a very formidable war plane. I was in Iraq for 4 1/2 years and the majority of ground support and attack aircraft were F-15s. Also, insofar as Japan has a Self Defense Force, the F-15 is still one of the fastest 2-2 (meaning from 0 to 2000 feet and mach 2) aircraft in the world, which is exactly what a defense aircraft is suppoosed to do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USNinJapan2 and techall,

Make no mistake in this regard, I very much respect your comments, especially knowing that both of you served and have more knowledge about the F-15 up close than me.

My only point was that the F-15J needs to be replaced due to age, as does the F-4J Phantom, with more advanced U.S. fighters such as the F-35.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does anyone know what the Chinese planes were?

They were probably Y-8clubs maritime surveillance aircrafts or An-12 clones.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

mushroomcloud

Nice quote about the US Air Force and its F-15s.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They said they were jets, though. Y-8s are prop driven.

Perhaps they were recon versions of the J-8, or the JH-7. Or the twin seat version of the J-10, or naval J-11 (SU-27 clone).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USNinJapan2,

Here's a quote about the USAF and JASDF:

"The US Air Force has grounded all its F-15 fighter planes after an accident in Missouri triggered concerns about the ageing fleet, officials said Tuesday.

The decision comes after Japan on Sunday grounded its F-15 fleet after it was informed by US forces that an Air National Guard F-15 fighter jet had crashed.

In Japan, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters that Tokyo has also suspended flights of F-2 fighter jets after one crashed on takeoff and burst into flames at an airport in central Japan last week.

"We will deal with the task of preventing airspace incursions with our F-4 fighter jets," the oldest model among Japan's fighter jets, Ishiba said."

AFP November 6, 2007

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"An F-15 fighter jet made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. lost tail parts yesterday during flight training near Hyakuri Air Base in eastern Japan, the Air Self- Defense Force said.

"Aluminum parts measuring 2 meters (6.6 feet) by 40 centimeters dropped from the plane, which took off from the air base at 11:50 a.m. yesterday, Hiroaki Akeguchi, an Air Force spokesman, said today by telephone. No injuries and damages were reported, he said.

The Air Force noticed the parts were missing after the plane landed an hour after take-off, Akeguchi said."

Bloomberg January 8, 2008

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Side-stepping the trivia on quality issues of the F15s, approaching foreign aerospace is a very 60s like activity. Good scramble practice or the JSDF.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In Japan, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters that Tokyo has also suspended flights of F-2 fighter jets after one crashed on takeoff and burst into flames at an airport in central Japan last week.

F-2?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Many good comments here, but you have to remember that whenever there is an accident involving a military plane, the entire series is grounded while the cause is investigated. These planes undergo much more stress than a commercial airplane. Sometimes these groundings only last a day. That said, of course air forces have to be modernized from time to time. The next generation of attack and ground suport plane does not have as much focus on speed as on electronics and versatility. For example, in the 2nd gulf war, 1 F-18 shot down 4 MIGs and the planes were never in sight of each other. The whole thing was controlled by an AWACS flying miles away. Dog fights are pretty much a thing of the past.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Goose and Maverick flew the F-14 Tomcat, which is already out of service. :P

Oops! I shoulda wiki'ed that one :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

apecNetworks said: "This situation is insane..... those 2 spy planes have probably incorporated the technology acquired from that downed US spy plane where a PRC pilot went down crashing into it. JSDF will increasingly face US military technology as the PRC becomes more assertive."

The U.S. plane that you were referring to was not a spy plane, but rather a surveillance plane, as clarified in this following paragraph on the incident by Wikipedia: "In April 2001 an aerial collision between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II, a signals reconnaissance version of the P-3C, and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8IIM fighter resulted in an international incident between the United States and China. The J-8IIM crashed and its pilot was killed. The EP-3 came close to becoming uncontrollable, at one point sustaining a near inverted roll, but was able to make an emergency landing on Hainan. The crew and plane were subsequently detained by Chinese authorities, accused of "killing the Chinese pilot".

After several days, the crew was repatriated separately to the United States while the aircraft remained in China, reported taken apart for research on American technology. Although the crew attempted to destroy as much classified material, hardware and software on the aircraft prior to the emergency landing, there is little doubt that the EP-3 was exploited by Chinese intelligence services. An American team was later permitted to enter Hainan in order to dismantle the aircraft, which was subsequently airlifted back to United States for reassembly and repair."

A spy plane would be more along the lines of the retired SR-71 Blackbird, or the current U2 spy plane currently in service.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who is still saying here to get the dirty American out of Okinawa?? To then, say let our Chinese amigos muscle in on poor Japan?? The USA and Japan need to work together, also South Korea to not let our friends over in Beijing get to excited about their new found wealth, with so much $$$, also comes World responsibility, time for China to stop playing these stupid games with Japan and focus more on trying to make their own people a bit more happy so they wont end up like Egypt, Libya etc...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Whatever happens, not to worry Japan, Obamas got your back......

0 ( +0 / -0 )

To Toguro,

"EP-3E ARIES

The land-based EP-3E ARIES [Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronics System] Aircraft provides the capability to detect and exploit tactically significant electronic signals and communication Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) information to the appropriate Battle Group Commanders. The EP-3E ARIES II provides near real-time tactical electronic reconnaissance capability for Battle Group indications and warnings, targeting, suppression of enemy air defenses, and strike sorties. The small force of EP-3E electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft is in constant demand by fleet and theater commanders worldwide. Forward deployed to meet critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection requirements, EP-3Es detect, interpret and report tactically significant communication and radar signals. With sensitive receivers and high-gain dish antennas, the EP-3E can exploit a wide range of electronic emissions from deep within enemy territory. (source: global security.org)"

Are we talking about this plane? Believe me, they needed this technology for their "spy planes". I know them, and they WILL incorporate the technology.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@apecNetworks

Yes, that is the plane. I was just clarifying that it is a surveillance plane, as opposed to a spy plane. I have no doubt that the Chinese have/will incorporate the technology that they looted from this plane. :-)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I do I also understand that the maintaince on older planes both in terms of cost and hours get more and more prohibitive as the planes get older.

I wonder how many F-4's and F-15's are operational? As a stop gap I am suprised tyhe JSDAF never updaqted the F-4's with F-18 super hornets.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

nothing illegal here, as article states planes approached near the island, but didn't violate airspace. the u.s. does this all the time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

right on Maglev, we do it to them, they return the favor. Nothing to get excited about. I wonder if the Japanese F-15 shot them down as one reader suggested, what possibly " good " outcome can happen . A war to regain japan's past military glory ? Would anyone volunteer to join the Japanese army then ? Doubt that very much.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't know why shroom is beating his chest about how great the J-20 is when it's never been tested in action and might turn out to be as good as all the other MOC stuff in my house. Not to mention that experience is zero while the United States has used stealth fighters in actual combat since 1989. The F-15s despite their age have a long combat proven history. And the Japanese have been planning on updating their fighters long before the J-20 came about. Besides, what fighter craft challenges a prop driven Y-8 is hardly a point worthy of discussion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Not to mention that experience is zero while the United States has used stealth fighters in actual combat since 1989.

The F15, as in this encounter, has shown that it can in the near term handle incursions into Japanese airspace. The US stealth fighters history is weak, and that is why I advise the JASDF to procure a minimum number of F35, supplement the F15 w/ the silent Eagle and the Typhoon Eurofighter.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Jasperandy:

Regarding Japanese use of the F-18, there was some disscussion about that years ago but the F-18 has advanced attack capability which was seen as contrary to the Japanese constitution which limits Japans military to defensive only. I can't think of any other nation that the U.S. has ever offered the F-18 to.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

techall,

" I can't think of any other nation that the U.S. has ever offered the F-18 to." Try Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia and Switzerland. Most of these countries use the aircraft for air to air and air to ground roles. As for the statement that "the F-18 has advanced attack capability which was seen as contrary to the Japanese constitution which limits Japans military to defensive only." The F-2 (which is a basic knock off of the F16 also has ground attack capability so whats the diff?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@AdamB: Thanks for the info. difference is range.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@elbudamexicano: Indeed! American military presence in Japan isn't so bad when compared to the alternative: a much larger Chinese military presence.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well, comparing an F-15 to a Y-8 is kind of lopsided, kind of like comparing a YS-11 to an F-11.

After seeing the nightmare that was the F-2 project if the Japanese gov't doesn't figure out a way to produce a fourth gen capability before it is obsolete they're risk falling even further behind than they already have. Great pictures in magazines and bubblehead recruiting cartoons look neat but the bottom line is Japan paid the cost in US dollars to get an F-35 but ended up with a Block 30 F-16 (An aircraft the US is mothballing) in their F-2 program. The most capable fighters stationed in Japan belong to the US Navy in their Superhornets, everything else is just lagging the fight.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites