1st Helicopter Brigade
Brigade insignia
ActiveMarch 20, 1959 – present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeArmy aviation
RoleAerial reconnaissance
Air assault
Airdrop
Airlift
Close air support
Disaster response
Electronic warfare
Fire support
Forward observer
Humanitarian aid
ISTAR
Medical evacuation
Military logistics
Patrolling
Provide aviation support to Ground Component Command (陸上総隊)
Search and rescue
SIGINT
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.

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 JapanTransport helicopterCH-47J
CH-47JA		Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225[12] 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

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. 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 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. ↑ 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.
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