Blue Impulse

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Blue Impulse (ブルーインパルス, Burū Inparusu^?), or 11 Squadron, is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Originally formed in 1960 as a team of six F-86 Sabres, the team switched to the Mitsubishi T-2 in 1980 and then the Kawasaki T-4 in 1995. They are based at Matsushima Air Base.

[edit] History

• 1960: Team founded.
• 1964: 1964 Summer Olympics (Tokyo) opening.
• 1982: 14 November: Accident in Hamamatsu Air Base. One T-2 (#4) crashed.
• 1991: 4 July: Accident in the Pacific Ocean. Two T-2s (#2 and #4) crashed.
• 1998: 1998 Winter Olympics (Nagano) opening.
• 2000: 4 July: Accident in the Oshika Peninsula. Two T-4s performing a dual solo (#5 and #6) crashed.
• 2002: 4 June: 2002 FIFA World Cup Japan versus Belgium (Saitama Stadium) opening.

[edit] References in pop culture

The mercenary air team "Red Impulse" and its leader from the anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman take their name from the Blue Impulse.

The team have since been immortalised in its own videogame, titled Aero Dancing featuring Blue Impulse.

[edit] External Link

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