1st Helicopter Brigade


The 1st Helicopter Brigade is based at JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, in Chiba Prefecture. Formerly an independent brigade, it was attached to the Central Readiness Force on March 28, 2007. Like most JGSDF units, the brigade's aircraft are deployed to conduct exercises from their Kisarazu base annually during the New Year period.
The brigade would operate under the Ground Component Command as a supporting unit for the Central Readiness Regiment, 1st Airborne Brigade and the Japanese Special Forces Group if deployed into a combat zone. 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.

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.
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. They have been also deployed on humanitarian operations, specifically in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake.

Aircraft in service

The 1st Helicopter Brigade currently utilize the following aircraft for the Central Readiness Force:
AircraftOriginTypeVersionsNotes
Boeing CH-47 ChinookTransport helicopterCH-47J
CH-47JA		Built by Kawasaki
Eurocopter EC 225VIP helicopterEC 225LP
Kawasaki OH-1Built by Kawasaki-
Hughes OH-6 CayuseScout helicopterOH-6D
OH-6J		Built by Kawasaki
Mitsubishi MU-2LiaisonLR-1
Beechcraft Super King AirUtility transportLR-2
Mitsubishi H-60Transport helicopterUH-60JABuilt by Mitsubishi

Formation