Air Rescue Wing Hamamatsu Detachment (JASDF)

The Air Rescue Wing Hamamatsu Detachment (浜松救難隊 (hamamatsu-kyūnan-tai)) is a unit of the Air Rescue Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It is also known as the Hamamatsu Air Rescue Squadron. Responsible for airborne search and rescue, it is based at Hamamatsu Air Base in Shizuoka Prefecture.[1] It is equipped with UH-60J and U-125A aircraft.[2][3]

Air Rescue Wing Hamamatsu Detachment
浜松救難隊
Detachment UH-60J
CountryJapan
BranchJapan Air Self-Defense Force
Part ofAir Rescue Wing
Garrison/HQHamamatsu Air Base
Motto(s)That others may live
Aircraft flown
UH-60J, U-125A

History

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On October 17, 2017 UH-60J 58-4596 of the detachment crashed into the sea off Shizuoka Prefecture while conducting night rescue drills. Some wreckage was found but the four crew members were not located.[4][5] Major searches continued with SDF assets and other parts were recovered.[6][7] A private salvage company started work from November 2 and located part of the fuselage.[8][9] In November parts of the aircraft were recovered including the Flight Data Recorder (black box) from a location approximately 31 kilometers south of Hamamatsu Air Base.[10][11] On November 29 the body of one of the crew members was discovered in the wreckage.[12][13]

Tail markings

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Detachment UH-60J aircraft do not have special markings. JASDF aircraft usually have unit markings on their tail, but U-125A aircraft of the Air Rescue Wing have a marking on their fuselage, usually with a sticker below showing which base they are assigned to.

Aircraft operated

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References

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  1. ^ Thompson, Paul JASDF - Order of Battle July 1, 2017 J-HangarSpace Retrieved October 26, 2017
  2. ^ "Air Rescue Wing". mod.go.jp. Retrieved October 26, 2017. (in Japanese)
  3. ^ "Air Rescue Wing History". mod.go.jp. Retrieved October 28, 2017. (in Japanese)
  4. ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (October 18, 2017). "Four JASDF personnel missing following UH-60J helo crash off coast of Shizuoka Prefecture". janes.com. Jane's Information Group. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  5. ^ "Helmets found in waters off Shizuoka Prefecture where ASDF chopper with four aboard apparently crashed". Japan Times. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "防衛大臣記者会見概要". mod.go.jp. October 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017. (in Japanese)
  7. ^ "浜松救難隊UH-60J、陸自ヘリが海岸線捜索 無人探査機で海中捜索も検討". flyteam.jp. October 21, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017. (in Japanese)
  8. ^ "防衛大臣記者会見概要". mod.go.jp. November 11, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017. (in Japanese)
  9. ^ "航空自衛隊、11月17日から浜松救難隊UH-60Jの機体引き揚げに着手". flyteam.jp. November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017. (in Japanese)
  10. ^ "浜松基地所属ヘリ(UH-60J)のレーダー航跡消失について(第4報)" (PDF). mod.go.jp. Japan Ministry of Defense. November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "浜松救難隊のUH-60J、海底からフライトデータレコーダーを回収". flyteam.jp. November 27, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "浜松基地所属ヘリ(UH-60J)のレーダー航跡消失について(第6報)" (PDF). mod.go.jp. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  13. ^ "浜松救難隊UH-60Jの海中捜索、搭乗員とみられる1名を収容". flyteam.jp. December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.