1st Helicopter Brigade

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1st Helicopter Brigade
Active March 20, 1959 - Present
Country Flag of Japan Japan
Branch Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
Type Logistics and Transportation
Role Humanitarian/Materiel/Personnel Transport
Size 900 soldiers
Part of Under Central Readiness Force
Garrison/HQ Kisarazu, Chiba, Chiba
Nickname 1HB

The 1st Helicopter Brigade (第１ヘリコプター団 Dai-ichi Herikoputa-Dan?) is based at the JGSDF Kisarazu Camp in Chiba[1]. [2]. Formerly an independent brigade, it was attached on the Central Readiness Force on March 28, 2007.[3]

The brigade would operate under the Central Readiness Force as a supporting unit for the 1st Airborne Brigade and the Japanese Special Operations Group if deployed into a combat zone.[4]

Contents

[edit] History

The 1st Helicopter Brigade was first established on March 20, 1959 by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Aviation School in the JGSDF's Kasumigaura Camp in Kasumigaura, Ibaraki. After the brigade was established, 2 helicopter companies were created on March 1, 1968 in a period of reorganization with one of the companies being worked out for its establishment[5].

The 1st Helicopter Company was stationed in the JGSDF Kisarazu Camp on March 22, 1968 with the 2nd Helicopter Company on June 1, 1968[5]. A special transport squad was established in the brigade on December 19, 1986.[5]

Another period of reorganization came through on March 27, 2006 when the brigade had been reorganized again to have a communications and reconnaissance squad added to the unit. On March 28, 2007, the 1st Helicopter Brigade had been formally indoctrinated into the Central Readiness Force.[3]

[edit] Deployments

[edit] Annual Deployment

As a tradition done in every New Year like most JGSDF units, various aircraft of the 1st Helicopter Brigade would be deployed to conduct annual exercises from their Kisarazu, Chiba camp with their deployment on January 8, 2008.[6]

[edit] Pre-CRF integration

Prior to the brigade's integration to the Central Readiness Force, it had been actively involved in civil disaster operations on Natural disasters such as forest fires and Earthquakes[5].

[edit] Post-CRF integration

The brigade had been 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]

[edit] Aircraft in Service

The 1st Helicopter Brigade are currently utilizing the following aircraft for the Central Readiness Force[2]. The following include:

Aircraft Origin Type Versions Notes
Boeing CH-47 Chinook Flag of Japan Japan Transport helicopter CH-47J
CH-47JA		 Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225 Flag of France France VIP helicopter EC 225LP [8]
Kawasaki OH-1 Flag of Japan Japan Scout helicopter Under delivery
MD Helicopters MD 500 Flag of Japan Japan Scout helicopter OH-6D
OH-6J		 Built by Kawasaki
Mitsubishi MU-2 Flag of Japan Japan liaison LR-1
Beechcraft Super King Air Flag of the United States United States Utility transport LR-2
Sikorsky S-70 Flag of Japan Japan transport helicopter UH-60JA Built by Mitsubishi

[edit] Formation

[edit] References

  1. ^ (2007). "Japan Primer". . University of Texas Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
  2. ^ a b 第１ヘリコプター団. Retrieved on January 9, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Central Readiness Force Organization Page. Retrieved on April 1, 2007. (Japanese)
  4. ^ What is the Central Readiness Force? Retrieved on January 9, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d 陸上自衛隊 第１ヘリコプター団. Retrieved on January 11, 2008.
  6. ^ 第１ヘリ団、年頭編隊飛行訓練. Retrieved on January 9, 2008 (Japanese)
  7. ^ 山梨県甲州市勝沼町山林火災災害派遣. Retrieved on January 9, 2008. (Japanese)
  8. ^ EADS Press Release - Japan Defense Agency Received First EC225 In VIP Configuration For The Japanese Emperor’s Royal Flight Service

[edit] External Links

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