SDF Middle East dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol unit leaves Japan

SDF dispatched to Middle East Maritime Self Defense Force patrol aircraft departed Japan 11:33 on January 11

The first member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft to be dispatched to the Middle East was the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which left Japan on the 11th. We will start collecting information locally on 20th of this month.

Dispatched are two P3C patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Naha Air Base. The patrol aircraft was dispatched to replace anti-piracy units off the coast of Somalia in Africa, and based on a SDF dispatch to the Middle East last month decided by the Cabinet, a patrol aircraft was newly assigned to Japan. Gathering information necessary for ensuring safety is added to the mission.

A departure ceremony was held at Naha Air Base on the 11th, and Misasa Shuichi Ino, commander of the dispatched unit, reported the departure to Minister of Defense Kono. The dispatched members exchanged words with the family who had come off and boarded the patrol aircraft.

The patrol unit is composed of about 60 members, and is based in Djibouti in eastern Africa and gathers information over the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.

According to officials of the Ministry of Defense, information on the type and course of suspicious vessels, such as navigating with a system called AIS, informing the location of the vessels, etc., is being collected.

The patrol aircraft are scheduled to begin operations this month on 20th, and one escort ship will depart for the site on the 2nd of next month, and will begin operations in the Gulf of Oman from late next month.

Minister of Defense "Encourage the task with courage and pride"

Minister of Defense Kono instructed, "It is important to ensure the safety of navigation of Japanese vessels," and sent off patrol aircraft heading to the site.

Amidst tensions in the Middle East, Minister of Defense Kono, who ordered the dispatch of one SDF escort ship and two patrol aircraft, departed for the P3C patrol aircraft on the morning of the Maritime Self-Defense Force Naha Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture on the morning of November 11. I was witnessing the departure of two aircraft.

Prior to his departure, Minister Kono told the Self-Defense Forces of the dispatched unit, "It is very important to ensure the safe navigation of Japanese vessels in the Middle East, a major source of energy. Please take your energy and carry on with your mission. "