JGSDF Tachikawa Disaster Prevention Aviation Festival - 09/11/19

[Nick Thompson]

Earlier this month I travelled to Japan for 9 days, it seems 3 week before most headed out this weekend for the Hyakuri Air Festival!

On the Saturday of the trip, Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force Camp Tachikawa opened its doors for an open camp. Tachikawa, in the west of Tokyo is home to 3 squadrons of UH-1J Huey's which specialise in response to disasters; earthquakes, tsunamis and most recently Typhoon Hagibis. Tachikawa is the Eastern Army's headquarters and the headquarter flight operates OH-1s and the soon to be retired OH-6D. Tachikawa is also home to various civil operations including Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Tokyo Fire and the Japanese Coast Guard.

The show started early and the majority of the flying had concluded by 11:30. This meant much of the display suffered from the worst of the light conditions. However, after a lunch break 2 Chinooks conducted passenger rides for over 2 hours and there was a number of repositioning flights and departures from visiting display items throughout the afternoon. The day came to a stunning conclusion with all based and visiting UH-1s returning to the hard-standing having operated from grass around the airfield for the day's display.

So here's a selection of images from the day, this just scratches the surface on the images I took, access and photography conditions towards the end of the day were truly superb.

Nick

1.
Hughes (Kawasaki) OH-6D - 31311/ XIII - 13th Squadron/ 13th Brigade/ Middle Army - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Hofu by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

2.
Bell (Fuji) AH-1S Cobra - 73443/ IVATH - 4th Anti-Tank Helicopter Unit - Eastern Army (Air Corps) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Kisarazu by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

3.
AgustaWestland AB-139 - JA14MP - Tokyo Metropolitan Poice Department by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

4.
Boeing (Kawasaki) CH-47J Chinook - 52918/ XII H - 2nd Squadron/ 12th Helicopter Unit/ Eastern Army (12th Brigade) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Soumagahara by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

5.
Boeing (Kawasaki) CH-47J Chinook - 52934/ SK - Kasumigaura Campus JGSDF Aviation School - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Kasumigaura by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

6.
Boeing (Kawasaki) CH-47J Chinook - 52918/ XII H - 2nd Squadron/ 12th Helicopter Unit/ Eastern Army (12th Brigade) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Soumagahara by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

7.
Bell Fuji AH-1S Cobra - 73443/ IVATH - 4th Anti-Tank Helicopter Unit/ Eastern Army Air Corps - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Kisarazu by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

8.
Bell Fuji UH-1J Iroquois - 41923/ I - 1st Squadron/ Eastern Army/ 1st Division Eastern Army Air Corps - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

9.
Bell Fuji UH-1J Iroquois - 41909/ I - 1st Squadron/ Eastern Army/ 1st Division Eastern Army Air Corps - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

10.
Bell (Fuji) UH-1J Iroquois - 41818/ SK - Kasumigaura Campus JGSDF Aviation School - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Kasumigaura by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

11.
Bell (Fuji) UH-1J Iroquois - 41877/ EH - Eastern Army Helicopter Unit - Eastern Army (Air Corps) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

12.
Bell (Fuji) UH-1J Iroquois - 41877/ EH - Eastern Army Helicopter Unit - Eastern Army (Air Corps) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

13.
Bell (Fuji) UH-1J Iroquois - 41833/ EH - Eastern Army Helicopter Unit - Eastern Army (Air Corps) - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

14.
Bell (Fuji) UH-1J Iroquois - 41856 - 1st Squadron/ 1st Division/ Eastern Army - JGSDF - JGSDF Camp Tachikawa by Nick Thompson, on Flickr

[TonyO]

Awesome stuff Nick, is this an annual event?

[Mawgan4]

Brilliant set, thanks for posting!

Alisdair

[Seahawk 11]

These are fantastic, what a great set of photos,

Rob

[Nick Thompson]

Cheers for the kind comments all,

Awesome stuff Nick, is this an annual event?

It is an annual event Tony, but doesn't seem to follow any pattern as to when its held in the year. It has been held in September, October and November in the past 5 years. Definitely an event to keep an eye on if planning a trip to Japan and want something a bit different.

Historically there's been some really nice visitors on top of the JGSDF assets; JMSDF Seahawks, Japan Coast Guard Super Pumas and the Yokota based USAF Hueys have also historically attended.

Nick

[Soundbarrier]

Super Series. Great light. Nice backdrop. Just perfect ...

[LTFT5]

HI NIck
Stunning set of images
All the best
Andy

[fisherman]

Every one a winner! Thanks, Nick for such a vibrant and interesting set

[Nick Thompson]

Thanks all for the kind comments