2nd Kōkūtai (2nd Air Group)
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN)

Background
The 2nd Kōkūtai (2nd Air Group) was a land based unit of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) operating Val dive bombers and Zero fighters. Abbreviated as 2nd Ku. In English, spelled 2nd Kokutai. On November 1, 1942 redesignated 582 Kokutai (582 Air Group).

Wartime History
On May 2, 1942 established under Commander Sakae Yamamoto as a composite air group with a bomber buntai equipped with the Type 99 D3A Val dive bombers and a Fighter Buntai equipped with the Type 0 / A6M fighters. The unit first operated under the Combined Fleet. Next, assigned to the 8th Fleet at Rabaul. Finally, assigned to the 26 Koku Sentai (26 Air Flotilla).

Bomber Buntai
The bomber Buntai operated the D3A Val.

On September 2, 1942 D3A1 Vals from the 2nd Ku attack shipping off Milne Bay. Three became lost and three force landed near Deba on Table Bay including D3A1 Val 3110, D3A1 Val 3114 and D3A1 Val 3287. Afterwards, all three crews were killed by police.

Fighter Buntai
The fighter unit operated the A6M Zero and was the first air group in equipped with the new A6M3 Model 32 Zero "Hamp".

On August 6, 1942 the Yawata Maru (Unyō) delivers fifteen A6M3 Model 32 Zeros to Lakunai Airfield for assigment to the 2nd Kokutai.

On August 7, 1942 fifteen A6M3 Model 32 Zeros from 2nd Kōkūtai led by Lt. Yoshio Kurakane to intercept a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses over Rabaul. This was their first combat mission in the South Pacific.

On August 22, 1942 a detachment flew to Buna Airfield on New Guinea.

On November 1, 1942 redesignated the 582 Kokutai (582 Air Group).

Tail Codes
The 2nd Kokutai aircraft had tail code Q-??? (three digits).

Captured Aircraft
Several 2nd Kokutai aircraft were captured by the Allies during 1942–1943.

Abandoned at Buna Airfield was D3A1 Val Tail Q-276 tail section captured by the U.S. Army in January 1943.

Abandoned at Munda Airfield was D3A1 Val 3470 Tail T3-261 largely intact, D3A2 Val 3029 Tail T2-222 and D3A2 Val 3106 Tail T3-260 were captured by U.S. forces in September 1943.

Abandoned at Lae Airfield were D3A2 Val 3023 Tail 82-227, D3A2 Val 3030 and D3A2 Val 3033. These Vals were among the Japanese aircraft captured by the Allies in the middle of September 1943.

Abandoned at Hoskins Airfield was D3A2 Val Tail 82-224 largely intact, captured by U.S. Marine Corps in May 1944.

Abandoned at Gasmata Airfield was D3A2 Val 3357 Tail 82-248 tail section only, salvaged and displayed at National Museum of the Pacific War (Nimitz Museum).

References
The First Team And the Guadalcanal Campaign page 44
Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units of WWII page 158
Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945 (2011) pages 57 (June 30, 1943) 231-232

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