Japans first of 13 Grumman E-2C Hawkeye went into service with the AEW Group 601st Hikotai at Misawa in January 1987. A few of these aircraft eventually went to equip the 603rd Hikotai at Naha. In 2005 the 601st and 603rd were re-designated Hiko Keikai Kanshitai Air Warning Surveillance Squadrons but in 2014 the Hiko Keikai Kanshitai was split and became 1 and 2 Hiko Keikai Kanshitai. The E-2C will eventually be phased out by the newer E-2D. In 2009 E2C 54-3457 was painted to celebrate the E2Cs 100,000 flight hours.