JGSDF Base Histories

December 14, 2010, marked the centenary of the first flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft in Japan, which had been “unofficially” achieved by Imperial Japanese Army Capt. Kumazo Hino in a German-designed Grade monoplane. (See the first entry on the Japanese Aviation History page of this website.) As aviation literally took off, urged on by the Army, airfields began to spring up across the country. Several current JGSDF bases have thus enjoyed long associations with aviation that stretch back far beyond the service’s formation.

The format follows that adopted for the other SDF base histories, the compilation of which was commenced in January 2019. This page will gradually be built up to provide comprehensive information on the key events and operations that have happened in the history of some of the following 20 Army Camp airfields:

Akeno	Hofu	Kisarazu	Naha	Tachikawa
Aomori	Jinmachi	Kita-Tokushima	Obihiro	Takayubaru
Asahikawa	Kasumigaura	Kita-Utsunomiya	Okadama	Takigahara
Hachinohe	Kasuminome	Metabaru	Soumagahara	Yao

Initial information has been culled from the respective base websites, the URLs of which are included in the concluding data box of each entry, and Japanese Wikipedia. Additional factual information, for example from the Japanese aviation press, is being added where applicable as and when time permits. 

 

Aerial view of Akeno airfield, taken in 1983. (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)  

JGSDF Akeno Army Camp from a lower altitude and better angle today (Photo: JGSDF)

Their pilots conducting engine power checks, 10th AvSqn helicopters set off across Akeno airfield
prior to a formation-flying training mission. (Photo: JGSDF/10th Division)

The main gate at Akeno Army Camp, May 2009 (Photo: ‘Xjm91587’ via Wikimedia Commons)

A view across the airfield on the base open day held on October 2, 2016. (Photo: JGSDF Akeno)

JGSDF Akeno Army Camp, March 17, 2020. 10th AvSqn and other base personnel look on as the
unit’s last two OH-6Ds take off and recede into the distance.(Photos: JGSDF/10th AvSqn)

Held at Akeno on July 28, 2022, was the graduation ceremony for the 89th Pilot Officer Course (POC). Their families were in attendance to witness the new pilots showing off their skills and being awarded their certificates and wings at the conclusion of the year-long course. The event was officially publicized by means of a short video (link).

The processions of helicopters from the resident 5th Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadron (above)
and the JGSDF’s principal aviation school (below) make Akeno a
popular destination for aviation photographers.
(Photos [Top] Jan. 2024; [above] Nov. 2023: Kenzo via X @kenzo_3516)

The target of a future J-HangarSpace museum report, the building dedicated to Akeno’s part in the
history of Japanese aviation. (Photo [Nov. 2010]: ‘Xjm91587’ via Wikimedia Commons)

 

The Aomori garrison’s unassuming main gate in September 2013. The banner is promoting a
road safety campaign. (Photo: Ebiebi2 via Wikimedia Commons)

Some of the 38 SDF and base monitors and local people with connections to Camp Aomori during a
base tour in September 2021. The tour included 10-minute air experience flights in groups of five
over the city of Aomori in a UH-1J from the now Hachinohe-based 9th AvSqn.
(Photo: JGSDF Northeastern Army Public Relations website, accessed Oct. 22, 2024 [link])

 

 

Aerial view of Asahikawa airfield, taken in 1977. (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons) 

 (Photo: JGSDF Northern Region ATC/Weather Group website [link], accessed Feb. 2, 2015) 

(Above and below) A 2nd AvSqn UH-1J crew gives a flight demonstration during an event
commemorating the 67th anniversary of Asahikawa base and the 69th anniversary of
the establishment of the 2nd Division. (Photos [June 16, 2019]: JGSDF/2nd Division) 

 

Compare the above aerial view of JGSDF Camp Hachinohe in April 2013 with this overall view of
the airport, also taken in 2013 (link), showing the JMSDF base (left) and JGSDF facilities in the
far right corner. (Photo: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism via Wikimedia Commons)

(Photo [Aug. 2021]: ブルーノ・プラスvia Wikimedia Commons)

A more recent glimpse of the JGSDF helicopter facilities at Hachinohe is provided by this video (link), taken from a based 2nd ATH OH-1 and posted on X in June 2024.

 

A video posted on X by JGSDF Hofu Sub-Camp/13thAvSqn (link) provides a brief view of the
airfield from inside a UH-1J. (Photo: JGSDF Hofu Sub-Camp/13thAvSqn via X @AvnHofu)

Students from a civil service college in the city of Yamaguchi during a base tour, December 2020
(Photo: JGSDF Hofu Sub-Camp/13thAvSqn via X @AvnHofu)

(Image: JGSDF Hofu Sub-Camp/13thAvSqn via X @AvnHofu)

 

 

A UH-1H (above) and UH-1J (below) of the resident 6th AvSqn manoeuvre in different parts of their
home base in early November 2010. (Photos: Jerry Gunner via Wikimedia Commons)

 

 

Kasumigaura airfield in 1984 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)  

 

 

Kasuminome airfield in 1984 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)  

 

There has been an airfield at Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, since the Imperial Japanese Navy
completed the first facility there in April 1936. Now used primarily by the JGSDF, this
aerial view was taken from a based CH-47JA Chinook helicopter in October 2012.
(J-HangarSpace would like to thank Japan Aviation Journalists’ Association
Executive Director Yukio Suzuki for his key role in arranging the flight.)

Kisarazu airfield in 1988 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons) 

(Photo taken at Kisarazu air show, Oct. 2012)

(Photo taken at Kisarazu air show, Sept. 2017)

In the form of the first V-22B Ospreys for the Transport Helicopter Group, two new faces arrived
at Kisarazu in July 2020. 
(Photos: 1st Helicopter Brigade, JGSDF via Twitter @1st_helb)

 

A commemorative photo taken at the time of a joint training exercise with U.S. Army
elements in 2021. (Photo: Kita-Tokushima Sub-Camp website [link])

The group photo that announced the launch of JGSDF Kita-Tokushima Sub-Camp’s X account.
(@TikbtudA7r44654) in April 2024.

A flight in a 14thAvSqn UH-1J from its Kita-Tokushima base formed part of the JGSDF Tokushima
tour for visitors in December 2022. (Photo: JGSDF Camp Tokushima @gsdf_tokushima)

 

 

Utsunomiya airfield in 1974 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons) 

Use was made of the last two numbers of this Branch Aviation School UH-1J’s serial number in
the colour scheme that commemorated Camp Kita-Utsunomiya’s 40th anniversary at the May
2013 air show. Appearing as a subtle yet colourful design from the side, the front of the
aircraft was festooned with decorations illustrating the aircraft that have been
operated from the base over the years.
Another angle: (link)

(Photo taken May 2013)

(Photo [June 2019]: Mitsuki via X @ainmitsu5024)

 

Metabaru became operational in 1943, when the airfield housed a branch of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force’s Tachiarai Flying School. Its location was to lend itself well for use as a base for training special attack unit pilots.

Metabaru at around the time the airfield first passed from National Safety Force to JGSDF
control, as a supply facility in 1954. What is today the 4th AvSqn arrived from Ozuki in
November 1956. (Photo: JGSDF Metabaru via X @JGSDF_METABARU)

Metabaru in 1987 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons) 

(Photo [May 2021]: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)

The foreshortening effect of a telephoto lens makes it appear that the pilot of a based
Western Region HQ Flt OH-1 is taking the aircraft a little too close to the tower.
(Photo [Dec. 2014]: JGSDF)

 

Falling under JGSDF Camp Yonago’s command is the Miho Sub-Camp, which formed 10 km away on JASDF Miho AB on March 27, 2018. The resident Central Army Helicopter Squadron’s 3rd Flt CO also serves as the sub-camp commander. Miho is the only JGSDF sub-camp that has an aviation unit located on the Sea of ​​Japan side of the country.

Aside from the Central Army Helicopter Squadron’s Chinooks, the JGSDF presence at Miho AB
includes meteorological, communications and other support units. (Photo: JASDF Miho AB website)

(Photo [2018]: S I via Google)

 

 

An aerial view of JGSDF Obihiro Army Camp/Tokachi airfield, formed from four 1977 images.  
  (Photo: National Land Image Information [Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism via Wikimedia Commons) 

 

 

Okadama airfield in 1985 (Photo: National Land Image Information [Color Aerial
Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)  

(Photo: JGSDF Northern Region ATC/Weather Group website [link], accessed Feb. 2, 2015) 

The poster used to advertise Okadama’s COVID-downsized 69th anniversary event in July 2022 and
(below) the scene from outside the base that day. (See Bulletin Board photo report.)
(Image: JGSDF Camp Okadama; Photo: Lien via Twitter @roomskyguard) 

Flight line activity on the day of Okadama’s 70th anniversary event in July 2023.
(Photo: E-2/E-3B（アニキ）via X [formerly Twitter] @e2e3e2e3)

The scene at Okadama on June 30, 2024, at the public event held to mark the base’s
71st anniversary. (Photo: JGSDF Camp Okadama via X @camp_okadama)

 

The tower at Soumagahara serves as backdrop to the departure of the last flight by a based OH-6D.
(Photo [Mar. 6, 2020]: JGSDF 12th Brigade via Twitter)

The photo uploaded to thank visitors for coming to Soumagahara’s base open day in the year of
the 12th Brigade’s 23rd anniversary and the camp’s 65th anniversary in April 2024.
(Photo: JGSDF 12th Brigade Public Relations via X @jgsdf_12b_pr)

 

 

Some of the hangars and the control tower at JGSDF Tachikawa Army Camp in 2013. The
Imperial Japanese Army commenced airfield operations from this Tokyo location in 1922.  

It was from Tachikawa that the Eastern Region Helicopter Squadron flew the very last flight of a
JGSDF OH-6D, on March 26, 2020. (Photo: Japan Ministry of Defense/JGSDF Eastern Aviation)

 

 

Takuyubaru apron and facilities, April 2002 (Photo: Takao Kadokami)

A still from a short YouTube video (link) shows a 109th Sqn Chinook about to receive a wash
down in a spray facility on Takayubaru base. The aircraft was one of three that had just
returned from tackling a forest fire above the village of Ogakicho within the city
of Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, in January 2024.
(Image: JGSDF Takayubaru via X [formerly Twitter] @takayubaru_avn)

A Western Army Helicopter Squadron 3rd Flight Chinook returns to base after having taken
part in a formation flypast at an event at nearby Kengun Army Camp in March 2024.
(Photo: JGSDF Takayubaru Sub-Camp via X @takayubaru_avn)

The Western Army operates a specially equipped LR-2 reconnaissance aircraft from Takayubaru.
The aircraft is seen here departing on an information-gathering mission to assess damage to
coastal areas following the Hyuganada Sea Earthquake in August 2024.
(Image from video posted by Western Army on X @takayubaru_avn)

Views of Takayubaru airfield and the surrounding area can be seen in the first of two short videos (link) posted on X that show an overwater live-fire exercise conducted alongside U.S. Army aircraft in August 2024.

 

Aerial view of the runway at Takigahara in 2012
(Photo: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism via Wikimedia Commons)

 

 

The poster that advertised the event marking the 60th anniversary of Yao’s establishment and
the 52nd anniversary of the Central Region Aviation Group in November 2014.

The scene at the start of proceedings for the Yao open day event in November 2019, which
attracted around 10,000 visitors. (Photo: JGSDF Yao) 

Members of the public who are selected every year to fulfill the role of base monitors
board a UH-1J for a familiarization flight that forms part of their base tour.
(Photo [July 2021]: JGSDF Camp Yao via X @JGSDF_YAO)

A typical scene at all JGSDF bases, a UH-1J is towed from its hangar at Yao by a standard
4.3-ton tug. (Photo [Nov. 2021]: JGSDF Camp Yao via X @JGSDF_YAO)

 (All photographs on this website are copyright J-HangarSpace
unless otherwise stated.)