1st Helicopter Brigade

1st Helicopter Brigade
Active March 20, 1959 – present
Country  Japan
Branch  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type Army aviation brigade
Role Provide aviation support to Ground Component Command (陸上総隊)
Size 900 soldiers
Part of Ground Component Command (陸上総隊)
Garrison/HQ Kisarazu, Chiba, Chiba

The 1st Helicopter Brigade (第１ヘリコプター団, Dai-ichi Herikoputa-Dan) is based at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, in the 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 would operate under the Ground Component Command (陸上総隊) (formerly 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 Central Readiness Force, it had been actively involved in civil disaster operations in response to natural disasters such as forest fires and earthquakes.[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.

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]

Aircraft in service

A Japanese CH-47 helicopter

The 1st Helicopter Brigade currently utilize the following aircraft for the Central Readiness Force:[8]

Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
Boeing CH-47 Chinook JapanTransport helicopterCH-47J
CH-47JA		Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225[9] FranceVIP helicopterEC 225LP
Kawasaki OH-1 JapanScout helicopterBuilt by Kawasaki
MD Helicopters MD 500 United StatesScout helicopterOH-6D
OH-6J		Built by Kawasaki
Mitsubishi MU-2 JapanLiaisonLR-1
Beechcraft Super King Air United StatesUtility transportLR-2
Mitsubishi H-60 JapanTransport helicopterUH-60JABuilt 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,OH-6D)
  • Special transportation helicopter Squadron (EC 225LP)
  • Communications and Reconnaissance Squadron (LR-1, LR-2)
  • Field Maintenance Party

References

  1. ↑ "Facilities – Japan Ground Self Defence Force". Global Security. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  2. 1 2 "Archived copy". 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. 1 2
  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 2011-08-25 at WebCite Retrieved on August 24, 2011. (in Japanese)
  8. ↑ "Archived copy" 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.
  9. ↑ "Japan Defense Agency received first EC225 in VIP configuration for the Japanese Emperor's Royal Flight Service". EADS. 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
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