JMSDF Escort Flotilla 2

The JMSDF 2nd Escort Group (第2護衛隊群, Escort Flotilla 2) was a surface warship formation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, subordinate to the Fleet Escort Force (護衛艦隊). Its headquarters was located at Sasebo Base, with units also deployed at Yokosuka Base. The group was first established on 16 August 1953 as the 2nd Ship Group (第2船隊群) of the Safety Agency's Coastal Safety Force, and was reorganized into the 2nd Escort Group on 1 July 1954 when the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the JMSDF were created. Over its history it underwent numerous reorganizations, including a temporary redesignation as the 3rd Escort Group in 1960 and re-establishment in 1961. It was placed under the newly formed Fleet Escort Force in 1961. The group participated in disaster relief operations, such as the 1957 Isahaya flood and the 1962 Miyakejima eruption, and from 2009 took part in counter-piracy deployments off Somalia. In its final decades it operated destroyer divisions including the 2nd Escort Division (DDH group) and 6th Escort Division (DDG group). A major reorganization of the JMSDF led to its dissolution on 23 March 2026. The group was commanded by a Rear Admiral (海将補).

The 2nd Escort Group was first formed on 16 August 1953 as the 2nd Ship Group (第2船隊群) within the Coastal Safety Force of the Safety Agency. Its initial composition included the command ship Momi and the 11th and 12th Ship Divisions, each with six LSSLs. On 10 April 1954, it was reorganized with the 3rd Ship Division (Tochi, Shii, Maki) and 4th Ship Division (Tsuge, Kaede, Buna) replacing the 11th and 12th. On 1 July 1954, with the establishment of the Defense Agency and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the group was redesignated as the 2nd Escort Group under the Self-Defense Fleet. In 1956, the 5th Escort Division (Asakaze, Hatakaze) was transferred from the 1st Escort Group. In 1957, Harukaze joined as flagship, and Hatakaze participated in disaster relief for the Isahaya flood. On 1 December 1960, the group was temporarily reorganized as the 3rd Escort Group, but on 1 February 1961, the 2nd Escort Group was re-established with a new organization. On 1 September 1961, with the creation of the Fleet Escort Force, it was placed under that command. In 1962, ships of the group conducted disaster relief after the Miyakejima eruption and assisted in the rescue of a P2V-7 patrol aircraft crash. The group underwent numerous organizational changes: the 1st Escort Division was abolished in 1963; the 21st Escort Division was formed in 1966; the 5th Escort Division was abolished in 1966; the 10th Escort Division was transferred to the 3rd Escort Group in 1969; the 1st Escort Division and Takatsuki were transferred from the 1st Escort Group in 1971; the 23rd Escort Division was formed in 1972; Tachikaze joined as a direct-controlled ship in 1976; the 52nd Escort Division (Haruna, Kurama) was formed in 1981; the 22nd Escort Division was transferred from the 1st Escort Group in 1982; the 62nd Escort Division (Tachikaze, Sawakaze) was formed in 1983; the 42nd Escort Division (Mineyuki, Hamayuki) was formed in 1984; the 44th Escort Division (Yamayuki, Matsuyuki) was formed in 1986; the 47th Escort Division (Asagiri, Yamagiri, Sawagiri) was formed in 1990. In 1997, the 44th Escort Division was renamed the 2nd Escort Division and the 47th became the 6th Escort Division. In 2008, a major reorganization reduced the group to two escort divisions: the 2nd Escort Division (DDH group) and the 6th Escort Division (DDG group), with the group's direct-controlled ships and the 62nd Escort Division abolished. In 2009, following the enactment of the anti-piracy law, the group contributed ships to the counter-piracy deployment off Somalia. In 2014, Kirishima was transferred from the 4th Escort Group, and Chokai was transferred to the 4th Escort Group. In 2017, Ise was transferred from the 4th Escort Group to the 2nd Escort Division, and Kurama was decommissioned. In 2018, Asahi was commissioned and assigned to the 2nd Escort Division, while Amagiri was transferred to the 11th Escort Division directly under the Fleet Escort Force. On 23 March 2026, the group was disbanded as part of a large-scale reorganization of the JMSDF.

• Established as 2nd Ship Group within the Coastal Safety Force.

• Reorganized into 2nd Escort Group under the Self-Defense Fleet.

• Temporarily redesignated as 3rd Escort Group.

• Re-established as 2nd Escort Group.

• Placed under the newly formed Fleet Escort Force.

• Major reorganization: reduced to 2nd Escort Division (DDH) and 6th Escort Division (DDG).

• Participated in counter-piracy operations off Somalia.

• Disbanded as part of JMSDF reorganization.

A key surface warfare formation of the JMSDF, responsible for escort and defense of Japanese waters and participation in international operations.

Product categories. Destroyer escorts (護衛艦) · Helicopter destroyers (DDH) · Guided-missile destroyers (DDG)

1. 1第2護衛隊群 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
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