noncommissioned officer in the JASDF
Specific to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force; equivalent to NCO ranks such as sergeant or petty officer in other air forces.
He serves in the Air Self-Defense Force as a noncommissioned officer.
senior master sergeant (JASDF)
master sergeant (JASDF)
staff sergeant (JASDF)
technical sergeant (JASDF)
Compound of 空 (air) and 曹 (sergeant, noncommissioned officer). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the Air Self-Defense Force rank.