Maritime patrol unit dispatched by the Middle East begins operations on January 20 at 15:52
With the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's patrol aircraft unit, which was dispatched as the first team, began operations on site. This is the first time that the SDF has been dispatched overseas for a long period of one year, based on the “Survey and Research” of the Ministry of Defense's Established Law.
The activities started with two P3C patrol aircraft at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Naha Air Base that departed Japan this month.
The patrol aircraft was dispatched to replace units engaged in anti-piracy activities off the coast of Africa and Somalia. Gathering information necessary for ensuring safety has been added to the mission.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the dispatched patrol aircraft units had been replaced by their predecessor units and started operations at a base in Djibouti in eastern Africa on the morning of 20th local time.
The patrol aircraft unit will carry out maintenance of the aircraft, and will fly for information gathering from the 21st.
This is the first case of a long-term dispatch abroad on a one-year basis, based on the "Survey and Research" of the Ministry of Defense Establishment Law, and one escort ship will also leave for the site on the 2nd of next month. is.