Japan Self-Defense Forces

The Japanese Self-Defense Force ( 自衛隊 Jieitaiundefined, abbreviation JSDF) is the military force of Japan. Established after the occupation of Japan after World War II, the JSDF is notably prohibited from deploying its forces outside the Japanese island range, except in special cases, such as peacekeeping operations. The JSDF is the player's main allied faction during the first events of Ace Combat: Joint Assault.

Ace Combat: Joint Assault
The JSDF is first seen in mission 1, "Steel Axe", where they participate alongside the United States Navy and the PMC Martinez Security in a joint exercise over Midway in the Pacific, and later assist both forces in engaging a Valahia air group heading towards Tokyo, Japan's capital. They are later seen again in "Bird Hunt", where they attempt to defend Tokyo from the Valahia invading force and its trump card, the heavy command cruiser Spiridus, and later again in "Red and Black - Alpha/Beta", where they are assisted by Martinez in fending off enemy forces coming from, respectively, the northern Izu Islands and the southern Boso Peninsula. The Self-Defense Forces make their final appearance in mission 5, "Capital Defense", where they, alongside Martinez Security, defend Tokyo once again from a Valahia assault, this time from the airborne aircraft carrier Orgoi.

Following the Orgoi's destruction in Tokyo, the Valahia retreated from the region, with Martinez and the International Union Peacekeeping Force following suit. Possibly because of their prohibition of waging war outside Japan, the JSDF are not seen again in the story.

Units

 * Clover Squadron

Aircraft

 * F-15E Strike Eagle

Ground Vehicles (JGSDF)

 * AAV-7A1

Ships (MSDF)

 * Hatakaze-class Destroyer

Trivia

 * The JSDF are incorrectly seen using the F-15E Strike Eagle and the BMP-3 IFV.