Aishima (Sugashima-class minesweeper); MSC-690 Miyajima (Sugashima-class minesweeper) Minesweeper Squadron 101 (Kure): MSC-679 Yugeshima; MSC-680 Nagashima (both Uwajima-class minesweeper command boats); 4 minesweeping drone boats (SAM 1 - 4) Landing Ship Squadron 1 (Kure): LST-4001 Ōsumi; LST-4002 Shimokita; LST-4003 Kunisaki 1st Landing Craft Air Cushion Unit (Kure): LCAC-2101 - 2106 Mine Warfare Support Center (Yokosuka) Mine Warfare Support Detachment Kure Fleet Research & Development Command Fleet Intelligence Command Oceanographic and ASW Support Command Air Training Command Shimofusa Air Training Group (P-3C YS-11TA UH-60J) Tokushima Air Training Group (202nd Naval Air Training Squadron) (TC-90) (UC-90) (UH-60J) Ozuki Air Training Group (T-5 UH-60J) Maritime Material Command Ship Supply Depot Air Supply Depot Training Division (Kure) Division HQ: TV-3508 Kashima Training Squadron 1: TV-3520 Hatakaze; TV-3521 Shimakaze Communication Command Criminal Investigation Command Service Activity Tokyo Printing Supply Unit JMSDF Staff College Maritime Officer Candidate School 1st Service School 2nd Service School 3rd Service School 4th Service School Sub Area Activity Hanshin Yokosuka District Kure District Sasebo District Maizuru District Ominato District District Forces Five district units act in concert with the fleet to guard the waters of their jurisdictions and provide shore-based support. Each district is home to a major JMSDF base and its supporting personnel and staff. Furthermore, each district is home to one or two regional escort squadrons, composed of two to three destroyers or destroyer escorts (DE). The destroyers tend to be of older classes, mainly former escort force ships. The destroyer escorts, on the other hand, tend to be purpose built vessels. Each district also has a number of minesweeping ships. Fleet Air Force The Fleet Air Force is tasked with patrol, ASW and rescue tasks. It is composed primarily of 7 aviation groups. Prominent bases are maintained at Kanoya, Hachinohe, Atsugi, Naha, Tateyama, Omura and Iwakuni. The Fleet Air Force is built up mainly with patrol aircraft such as the Lockheed P-3 Orion, rescue aircraft such as the US-1A and helicopters such as the SH-60J. In the JMSDF, helicopters deployed to each escort force are actually members of Fleet Air Force squadrons based on land. Special Forces Special Forces units consist of the following: SBU (Special Boarding Unit) MIT (Maritime Interception Team) Ranks Commissioned officer ranks The rank insignia of commissioned officers. Other ranks The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Culture and traditions Music and traditions The JMSDF has maintained some historic links with the Imperial