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.
Following the format 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 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 is being 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, will be added and cited where applicable as and when time permits.
Akeno |
Location | Ise, Mie Prefecture |
Established | (As Gunnery School, Akenogahara Army Aviation School) April 22, 1920 (As IJAAF Army Aviation School) May 17, 1924 (JGSDF) August 1, 1955 |
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 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)
JGSDF Akeno Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units |
Main Aviation School (AH-1S, AH-64D, CH-47JA, Training Support Flight (AH-1S, AH-64D, CH-47JA, HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st Flt/2nd Flt (AH-1S), 10th AvSqn (Attached to 10th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points |
Akeno 5593-11, Obata-cho, Ise, Tel.: +81 (0)596-37-0111 Aviation School website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Akeno 明野 (Kintetsu Yamada Line / 近鉄山田線) |
Japanese Reference Sources |
Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 明野駐屯地 |
Aomori |
Location | Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture |
Established | 1956 |
JGSDF Aomori Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | Formerly 9th AvSqn (See Hachinohe) |
Contact points | Aza Chikano 45, Namidate, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 038-0022, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)17-781-0161 9th Division: http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/neae/9d/ |
Nearest station | Aomori 青森 (JR East) |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 青森駐屯地 |
Asahikawa |
Location | Asahikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Established | (As National Security Force Camp Asahikawa) January 1954 (JGSDF) July 1954 |
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)
JGSDF Asahikawa Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | 2nd AvSqn (Attached to 2nd Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Kokuyu-mubanchi, Shunkocho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture 070-8630, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)166-51-6111 Fax: +81 (0)166-53-1414 2nd Division website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Shin-Asahikawa 新旭川 (Soya Main Line 宗谷本線 and Sekihoku Main Line 石北本線) / JR Hokkaido |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 旭川駐屯地 |
Hachinohe |
Location | Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture |
Established | August 15, 1962 |
JGSDF Hachinohe Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | 2nd Anti-Tank Helicopter Sqn HQ Flt (OH-1), 1st Flt/2nd Flt (AH-1S) 9th AvSqn (Attached to 9th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points |
Kikyonokanchi, Ooaza Ichikawa-machi, Hachinohe, Hachinohe Army Camp website homepage/2021:(link) |
Nearest station | Mutsu-Ichikawa 陸奥市川 on Tohoku Main Line 東北本線 / JR East and Aoimori Line 青い森線 / Aoimori Railway |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 八戸駐屯地 |
Hofu |
Location | Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
Established |
JGSDF Hofu Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | 13th AvSqn (Attached to 13th Brigade, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Ooaza Tajima-mubanchi, Hofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture 747-8567, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)835-22-1950 13th Brigade website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Hofu 防府 (Sanyo Main Line 山陽本線) / JR West |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 防府分屯地 |
Jinmachi |
Location | Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture |
Established | Completed as IJNAF airfield 1944 (JGSDF) August 1956 |
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)
JGSDF Jinmachi Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | 6th AvSqn (Attached to 6th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Jinmachi-minami 3-1-1, Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture 999-3797, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)237-48-1151 (PR Group extn. 5898) Jinmachi Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Jinmachi 神町 (奥羽本線 Ou Main Line) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 神町駐屯地 |
Kasumigaura |
Location | Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture |
Established | (IJNAF) July 1921 (National Security Force) February 1953 (JGSDF) July 1, 1954 |
Kasumigaura airfield in 1984 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)
JGSDF Kasumigaura Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | Branch Aviation School (AH-1S, AH-64D, CH-47JA, OH-1, UH-1J, UH-60JA) |
Contact points | (Public Information Center)
JGSDF Kasumigaura Army Camp Public Information Group 2410, Migimomi, Tsuchiura, Tel.: +81 (0)29-842-1211, extensions 2217/2241 E-mail: pr-adm-eadep@inet.mod.gsdf.go.jp Kasumigaura Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Arakawaoki 荒川沖 (Joban Line 常磐線) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 霞ヶ浦駐屯地 |
Kasuminome |
Location | Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture |
Established | (IJAAF) March 1944 (JGSDF) December 1955 |
Kasuminome airfield in 1984 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)
JGSDF Kasuminome Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Northeastern Region Aviation Group HQ HQ Flt, 1st Flt/2nd Flt (UH-1J), Northeastern Region Helicopter Sqn |
Contact points | Kasuminome 1-1-1, Wakabayshi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 984-8580, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)22-286-3101 (PR Group extn. 301) Kasuminome Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Sendai 仙台 (JR East) |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 霞目駐屯地 |
Kisarazu |
Location | Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture |
Established | (IJNAF) April 1936 (JASDF) August 1956 (JGSDF) March 1968 |
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)
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)
JGSDF Kisarazu Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Central Readiness Force, under 1st Helicopter Brigade:
102nd Sqn (UH-60JA) 103rd/104th/105th/106th Sqns (CH-47JA), 107th/108th Sqns, Transport Aviation Group (V-22B) Liaison/Reconnaissance Flt (LR-2)
HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st Flt/2nd Flt (AH-1S), |
Contact points | Azuma-chisaki, Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture 292-8510, Japan
Tel.: +81 (0)438-23-3411 (PR Group, extn. 347) 1st Helicopter Brigade website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Kisarazu 木更津 (Uchibo Line 内房線) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Central Readiness Force website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 木更津駐屯地 |
Kita-Tokushima |
Location | Matsushige, Tokushima Prefecture |
Established | (JGSDF) March 26, 2010 |
JGSDF Kita-Tokushima Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | 14th AvSqn (Attached to 14th Brigade, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Sumiyoshikaitaku 38, Sumiyoshi, Matsushige Town, Itano District, Tokushima Prefecture 771-0292, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)88-699-5111 (14th Sqn, ext. 3931) Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Naruto 鳴門 (Naruto Line 鳴門線) / JR Shikoku |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 北徳島分屯地 |
Kita-Utsunomiya |
Location | Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture |
Established | (JASDF) August 1957 (JGSDF) November 1962 |
Utsunomiya airfield in 1974 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
via Wikimedia Commons)
JGSDF Kita-Utsunomiya Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Branch Aviation School (LR-2, TH-480B, UH-1J) 1st Flt, 12th AvSqn (Attached to 12th Brigade, UH-60JA) |
Contact points | Kamiyokota-machi 1360, Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture 321-0106, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)28-658-2151 Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Suzumenomiya 雀宮駅 (Utsunomiya Line 北宇都線) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 北宇都宮駐屯地 |
Metabaru |
Location | Yoshinogari, Saga Prefecture |
Established | (IJAAF) 1940s (JGSDF) July 1954 |
Metabaru in 1987 (Photo: National Land Image Information
[Color Aerial Photographs], 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)
JGSDF Metabaru Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Western Region Aviation Group: Western Region Air Sqn (LR-2) HQ Flt (UH-1J), 1st Flt (UH-60JA), 2nd Flt (UH-1J), HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st Flt/2nd Flt (AH-64D),
4th AvSqn (Attached to 4th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Tateno 7-1, Yoshinogari-cho, Kanzaki District, Saga Prefecture 842-0032, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)952-52-2161 (PR Office extn. 205/206) Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Yoshinogari-koen 吉野ヶ里公園 (Nagasaki Main Line 長崎本線) / JR Kyushu |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 目達原駐屯地 |
Naha |
Location | Naha, Okinawa Prefecture |
Established | (IJNAF) 1933 (JGSDF) November 1972 |
JGSDF Naha Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | 15th Helicopter Sqn (Attached to 15th Brigade, LR-2, CH-47JA, UH-60JA) |
Contact points | Kagamizu 679, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 901-0192, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)98-857-1155 15th Brigade website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | (Naha Airport) |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 那覇駐屯地 |
Obihiro 帯広 |
Location | Obihiro, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Established | (As IJAAF airfield) October 1940 (National Police Reserve [no aircraft]) Feb. 1951 NSF 1952-54; JGSDF July 1954 |
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)
JGSDF Obihiro Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st/2nd Flt (AH-1S), 1st Anti-Tank Helicopter Sqn 5th AvSqn (Attached to 5th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Sen 31-banchi, Minami 7, Minami-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8639, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)155-48-5121 Base page on 5th Division website/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Obihiro 帯広 (Nemuro Main Line 根室本線) / JR Hokkaido |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 帯広駐屯地 |
Okadama |
Location | Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Established | (JGSDF) Oct. 25, 1954 |
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)
JGSDF Okadama Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Northern Region Aviation Group HQ
Northern Region Air Sqn (LR-2) HQ Flt, 1st Flt/2nd Flt (UH-1J), 7th AvSqn (Attached to 7th Division, UH-1J) 11th AvSqn (Attached to 11th Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | 161-banchi, Okadama-cho, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-8503, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)11-781-8321 Fax: +81 (0)11-781-0504 Camp website homepage/2021: (link) 11th Division website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Taihei 太平 (Sassho Line 札沼線) / JR Hokkaido |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 札幌飛行場 (Sapporo Airfield) |
Soumagahara |
Location | Shinto, Gunma Prefecture |
Established | As Imperial Japanese Army School: August 1941 As JGSDF Army Camp: July 1, 1954 As JGSDF airfield: Mar. 27, 2001 |
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)
JGSDF Soumagahara Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | HQ Flt (OH-1) and 2nd Flt (CH-47JA), 12th AvSqn (Attached to 12th Brigade) |
Contact points | Ooaza Arai 1017-2, Shinto-mura, Kita-Gunma District, Gunma Prefecture 370-3594, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)279-54-2011 12th Brigade website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Shibukawa 渋川 (Joetsu Line 上越線 or Agatsuma Line 吾妻線) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 相馬原駐屯地 |
Tachikawa |
Location | Tachikawa, Tokyo |
Established | (IJAAF) November 1922 (National Security Force) 1952 (JASDF) February 1955 (JGSDF) March 1972 |
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)
JGSDF Tachikawa Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Eastern Region Aviation Group HQ
HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st Flt/2nd Flt (UH-1H/J),
1st AvSqn (Attached to 1st Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | Midori-cho 5, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8501, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)42-524-9321 (PR Group) Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Tachikawa 立川 (Chuo Line 中央線) / JR East |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 立川駐屯地 |
Takayubaru |
Location | Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture |
Established | (JGSDF) June 1957 |
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)
JGSDF Takayubaru Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Western Region Aviation Group HQ
Western Region Aviation Group: Western Region Air Sqn (LR-2) 3rd Flt (CH-47J/JA), Western Region Helicopter Sqn 109th Sqn, Transport Aviation Group (CH-47JA) 8th AvSqn (Attached to 8th Division, UH-60JA) |
Contact points | Ooaza Oyatsu 1812, Mashiki-machi, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture 861-2204, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)96-232-2101 |
Nearest station | Higoozu 肥後大津 (Hohi Main Line 豊肥本線) / JR Kyushu |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996)
Wikipedia 高遊原分屯地 |
Takigahara |
Location | Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture |
Established | April 11, 1960 |
JGSDF Takigahara Army Camp Airfield | |
Based unit | Training Support Flight (UH-1J) |
Contact points | Nakabata 2092-2, Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture 412-8550, Japan
Tel.: +81 (0)550-89-0711 Base website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Gotemba 御殿場 (Gotemba Line 御殿場線) / JR Central |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 滝ケ原分屯地 |
Yao |
Location | Yao, Osaka Prefecture |
Established | (IJAAF) 1941 (JGSDF) September 1954 |
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)
JGSDF Yao Army Camp Airfield | |
Based units | Central Region Aviation Group HQ
HQ Flt (OH-1) and 1st Flt/2nd Flt (UH-1J),
3rd AvSqn (Attached to 3rd Division, UH-1J) |
Contact points | PR Group, JGSDF Yao Army Camp, Yao Airport 1-81, Yao, Osaka Prefecture 581-0043, Japan Tel.: +81 (0)729-49-5131, extn. 229 Yao Army Camp website homepage/2021: (link) |
Nearest station | Shiki 志紀 (Yamatoji Line 大和路線) / JR West |
Japanese Reference Sources | Base website (accessed [date]) Base Watching Guide (Ikaros, 1996) Wikipedia 八尾駐屯地 |
(All photographs on this website are copyright J-HangarSpace
unless otherwise stated.)