UF-104JA "575" (recoded 36-3575) at Iwo Jima island

F-104J, construction number 683B-3075, model 683-07-14, JASDF serial number 46-8575, built by Mitsubishi
delivery date March 6, 1964; first assigned to 5 Kokudan in 1964; several F-104 were stored for several years, due to airframe adjustment,
this airframe probably stored this way; after 1977 to 206 Hikotai of 7 Wing; later 204 Hikotai at Nyuutabaru AB until about middle 1983
later 207 Hikotai at Naha AB; November 1986 to APW at Gifu AB with black nose
EF-104J (modified as ECM version to carry Electronic Countermeasures Pod J/ALQ-4, repeater jammer)
UF-104JA seen late February 1995 as 46-3575 and drone patch (Scorpion) and red tail
target drone as 46-3575 shot down at a firing range located near Iwo Jima island (after the undercarriage was damaged it was decided
to shoot this 104 down by F-15J (AMRAAM), initially it was meant to fly back home.

In March 1992, the improved experimental aircraft was transferred to a "temporary unmanned aerial vehicle squadron" on Iwo Jima, where it continued its test operations.
The squadron received its first order for six UF-104JA aircraft in 1993 and was officially established as the "UAV Operations Squadron" in March 1994.

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