Blue Impulse

Blue Impulse
11 Squadron 4th Air Wing
Blue Impulse insignia
ActiveApril 12, 1960 – present
Country Japan
BranchJapan Air Self-Defense Force
TypeAerobatics
RoleAerobatic maneuver
Garrison/HQMatsushima Air Base
Motto(s)Challenge for the Creation.
ColorsBlue
White
Aircraft flown
Trainer9 Kawasaki T-4s

Blue Impulse (ブルーインパルス, Burū Inparusu) (currently 11 Squadron 4th Air Wing, previously 21 Squadron 4th Air Wing) is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The team was founded in 1960 as a team of six F-86 Sabres. They changed mounts to the Mitsubishi T-2 in 1980 and then to the Kawasaki T-4 in 1995. They are based at Matsushima Air Base, which was heavily damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.