1st Helicopter Brigade

1st Helicopter Brigade
JGSDF 1st Helicopter Brigage insignia
ActiveMarch 20, 1959 – present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeArmy aviation
RoleProvide aviation support to Ground Component Command (陸上総隊)
Search and rescue
Support special operations
SizeBrigade (~900 soldiers)
Part ofGround Component Command (陸上総隊)
Garrison/HQKisarazu, 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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

Aircraft in service

A Japanese CH-47 helicopter

The 1st Helicopter Brigade currently utilize the following aircraft for the Ground Component Command:[11][12]

Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
Boeing CH-47 Chinook JapanTransport helicopterCH-47J
CH-47JA		Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225[13] FranceVIP helicopterEC 225LP
Kawasaki OH-1 JapanBuilt by Kawasaki
Beechcraft Super King Air United StatesUtility transportLR-2
Mitsubishi H-60 JapanTransport helicopterUH-60JABuilt by Mitsubishi

Organization

  • 1st Helicopter Brigade, at Kisarazu Airfield
    • Headquarters Company, at Kisarazu Airfield
    • Special Transport Helicopter Squadron, at Kisarazu Airfield, with EC 225LP Super Puma helicopters
    • Liaison and Reconnaissance Squadron, at Kisarazu Airfield, with LR-2 Super King Air aircraft
    • 102nd Squadron, at Kisarazu Airfield, with UH-60JA Black Hawk helicopters
    • 1st Helicopter Field Maintenance Company, at Kisarazu Airfield
    • 1st Transport Helicopter Group
      • 1st Transport Helicopter Group Headquarters Company
      • 103rd Squadron, with CH-47J/JA Chinook helicopters
      • 104th Squadron, with CH-47J/JA Chinook helicopters
      • 105th Squadron, with CH-47J/JA Chinook helicopters
      • 106th Squadron, with CH-47J/JA Chinook helicopters
    • Transport Air Wing, at Saga Airport
      • Transport Air Wing Headquarters Company
      • 107th Squadron, with V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft
      • 108th Squadron, with V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft
      • 109th Squadron, at Kumamoto Airport, with CH-47J/JA Chinook helicopters
      • Transport Aircraft Field Maintenance Company

References

  1. ↑ "Facilities – Japan Ground Self Defence Force". Global Security. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  2. 1 2 "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 Archived 2022-07-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 18 June 2018 (in Japanese)
  6. 1 2 "1st Helicopter Brigade - Kisarazu". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  7. ↑ "JGSDF Squadron Histories Part 1 | J-HangarSpace: Information on Japanese Aviation". J-HangarSpace. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  8. ↑ 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)
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "所属航空機". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 2020-05-13. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Japan Defense Agency Received First EC225 in VIP Configuration for the Japanese Emperor's Royal Flight Service". www.defense-aerospace.com.
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