1st Helicopter Brigade
| 1st Helicopter Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | March 20, 1959 – Present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Aviation |
| Role | Provide aviation support to Central Readiness Force |
| Size | 900 soldiers |
| Part of |  Central Readiness Force |
| 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 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.[dead link][4] 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.[5]
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.[6] They have been also deployed on humanitarian operations, specifically in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake.[5]
Aircraft in service
The 1st Helicopter Brigade currently utilize the following aircraft for the Central Readiness Force:[7]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing CH-47 Chinook | Japan |
Transport helicopter | CH-47J
CH-47JA |
Built by Kawasaki |
| Eurocopter EC 225[8] |  France |
VIP helicopter | EC 225LP | |
| Kawasaki OH-1 | Japan |
Scout helicopter | Built by Kawasaki | |
| MD Helicopters MD 500 | Japan |
Scout helicopter | OH-6D
OH-6J |
Built by Kawasaki |
| Mitsubishi MU-2 | Japan |
Liaison | LR-1 | |
| 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,OH-6D)
- Special transportation helicopter Squadron (EC 225LP)
- Communications and Reconnaissance Squadron (LR-1, LR-2)
- Field Maintenance Party
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Archived June 13, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 [1]
- ↑ 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）. Retrieved on August 24, 2011. (Japanese)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- 1st Helicopter Brigade's Official CRF Page (Japanese)
- Articles with Japanese-language external links
- Articles containing Japanese-language text
- Articles with dead external links from February 2015
- Articles with unsourced statements from February 2015
- Pages with broken file links
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Brigade
- Military units and formations established in 1959
- Helicopter units and formations
- 1959 establishments in Japan
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