1st Helicopter Brigade

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1st Helicopter Brigade
Kisarazu, Chiba, Chiba

The 1st Helicopter Brigade (Japanese: 第１ヘリコプター団, Dai-ichi Herikoputa-Dan) is based at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, in Chiba Prefecture.[1] Formerly an independent brigade, it was attached to the Central Readiness Force on March 28, 2007.[2] Like most JGSDF units, the brigade's aircraft are deployed to conduct exercises from their Kisarazu base annually during the New Year period.[3]

The brigade operates under the Ground Component Command (Japanese: 陸上総隊), formerly with the Central Readiness Force, as a supporting unit for the Central Readiness Regiment (CRR), 1st Airborne Brigade and the Japanese Special Forces Group (SFGp) if deployed into a combat zone.[4][5]

Prior to the brigade's integration into the CRF, it had been actively involved in civil disaster operations in response to natural disasters such as wildfire, earthquakes, and flood.[6]

History

The 1st Helicopter Brigade was first established on March 20, 1959, by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Aviation School at JGSDF Camp Kasumigaura in Kasumigaura, Ibaraki. After the brigade was established, two helicopter companies were created on March 1, 1968, during a period of reorganization.[citation needed]

The 1st Helicopter Company was stationed at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu on March 22, 1968, with the 2nd Helicopter Company arriving on June 1, 1968. A special transport squad was established in the brigade on December 19, 1986. Another period of reorganization began on March 27, 2006, when a communications and reconnaissance squad was added to the unit. On March 28, 2007, the 1st Helicopter Brigade was formally incorporated into the Central Readiness Force.[2]

The brigade was deployed by the Central Readiness Force on its first operation to subdue wildfires in the forests of the Yamanashi Prefecture on April 29, 2007.[7] They have been also deployed on humanitarian operations, specifically in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake.[6]

On March 26, 2020, the 1HB has established an aviation corp to manage V-22 Ospreys for the ARDB.[8] The Ospreys are due to be deployed to Kisarazu with plans to be deployed at Saga Airport in the future. One CH-47J helicopter squadron is to be at JGSDF Vice Camp Takayubaru.[9]

Aircraft in service

A Japanese CH-47 helicopter

The 1st Helicopter Brigade currently utilize the following aircraft for the Ground Component Command:[10][11]

Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
Boeing CH-47 Chinook  Japan Transport helicopter CH-47J
CH-47JA		 Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225[12]
  France VIP helicopter EC 225LP
Kawasaki OH-1  Japan Built by Kawasaki
Beechcraft Super King Air  United States Utility transport LR-2
Mitsubishi H-60  Japan Transport helicopter UH-60JA Built by Mitsubishi

Formation

  • Headquarters
    • Headquarters and Service Company (OH-6D)
  • 1st Transportation Helicopter Group
    • 103rd Flight Squadron (CH-47J/JA)
    • 104th Flight Squadron (CH-47J/JA)
    • 105th Flight Squadron (CH-47J/JA)
    • 106th Flight Squadron (CH-47J/JA)
  • 102nd Flight Squadron (UH-60JA)
  • Special transportation helicopter Squadron (
    EC 225LP
    )
  • Communications and Reconnaissance Squadron (LR-2)
  • Field Maintenance Party

References

  1. ^ "Facilities – Japan Ground Self Defence Force". Global Security. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  2. ^ a b "Central Readiness Force". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  3. ^ 平成22年 習志野 第1空挺団 降下訓練始め (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  4. ^ "What is the CRF （Central Readiness Force）？". Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  5. ^ 陸自の中央即応集団が廃止　座間駐屯地に５年 Retrieved 18 June 2018 (in Japanese)
  6. ^ a b "1st Helicopter Brigade - Kisarazu". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  7. ^ 山梨県甲州市勝沼町山林火災災害派遣 （第１ヘリコプター団）. Archived 2007-05-19 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 24, 2011. (in Japanese)
  8. ^ "防 衛 省 発 令" (PDF). www.mod.go.jp (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-03-26. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "輸送航空隊の新編について" (PDF). www.city.kisarazu.lg.jp. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-03-24. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  10. ^ "1st Helicopter Brigade" 第１ヘリコプター団の装備機 (in Japanese). Central Readiness Force. Archived from the original on 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  11. ^ "所属航空機". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 2020-05-13. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "Japan Defense Agency Received First EC225 in VIP Configuration for the Japanese Emperor's Royal Flight Service". www.defense-aerospace.com.

External links

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