| Unit Name: | 21st Flight Training Squadron |
| Native Name: | Japanese: 第21飛行隊 |
| Dates: | March 31, 1975-present |
| Country: | Japan |
| Allegiance: | 4th Air Wing |
| Branch: | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Garrison: | Matsushima Air Base |
| Colours: | --> |
| Colours Label: | --> |
The is a squadron of the 4th Air Wing of Air Training Command of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is based at Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.[1] [2]
The predecessor to the squadron was formed on March 31, 1975, and it formally became the 21st squadron on October 1, 1976.
After retiring their original North American F-86F Sabres, from January 12, 1982 to December 22, 1995 the JASDF aerobatics team Blue Impulse flew Mitsubishi T-2 aircraft as part of the squadron.
During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Matsushima Air Field was flooded with seawater, and eighteen Mitsubishi F-2B's belonging to 21st Squadron, as well as other aircraft, were damaged or destroyed.[3] [4]
In the aftermath of this event, the 21st was relocated to Misawa Air Base where it conducted a reduced schedule of training while both the airfield and its damaged aircraft were repaired. A ceremony marking the 21st's return to Matsushima was held on March 28, 2016.[5]
The squadron has a unique tail marking.