1st Helicopter Brigade

1st Helicopter Brigade
Active March 20, 1959 – present
Country Japan 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.[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.

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

A Japanese CH-47 helicopter

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

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. 1 2
  6. ↑ 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)
  7. ↑ 第１ヘリコプター団の装備機 (in Japanese). Central Readiness Force. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  8. ↑ "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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