Chitose Air Base: Difference between revisions
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Chitose's first flight came in 1926, when the ''Otaru Shimbun'' newspaper sponsored the "Hokkai One" (''Hokkai-ichigō'') flight, originating at a 10-hectare air field donated by the villagers of Chitose. In 1939, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] took over the field. |
Chitose's first flight came in 1926, when the ''Otaru Shimbun'' newspaper sponsored the "Hokkai One" (''Hokkai-ichigō'') flight, originating at a 10-hectare air field donated by the villagers of Chitose. In 1939, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] took over the field. |
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After Japan's surrender in 1945, ending [[World War II]], the [[United States Armed Forces]] took over the base |
After Japan's surrender in 1945, ending [[World War II]], the [[United States Armed Forces]] took over the base, being primarily under the control of the [[United States Army Air Force]], and later the [[United States Air Force]] [[Fifth Air Force]]. Major USAF occupation units assigned to Chitose Air Base were: |
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* [[3d Air Commando Group]] (309th Bombardment Wing), October 1945-March 1946 |
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* [[49th Fighter Group]] (later Wing), February 1946-April 1948 |
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The base was used largely as a maintenance and logistics facility in the late 1940s prior to the [[Korean War]], under the operational control of the [[314th Air Division]], [[Johnson Air Base]]. Chintose wss operated as a sub-base to Johnson AB. As a result of the Korean War, the 6163d Air Base Wing was activated on 1 January 1951. The airfield was used primarily as an emergency landing field for aircraft returning from combat missions over Korea, and as a maintenance and repair depot by Technical Service Command. |
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During the Allied occupation, in 1951, Chitose received its first scheduled civilian flights to [[Tokyo]], operated by [[Japan Airlines]]. |
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After the 1953 Korean Armistice, the USAF moved it's [[F-86 Sabre]]-equipped [[4th Fighter Group]] (later Wing) from Kimpo AB (K-14), South Korea in September 1954. The only American combat unit assigned to Chintose, the squadron provided air defense of Hokkido for several years, being reassigned to [[NATO]] in [[France ]]in July 1957 as part of the USAF buildup in [[Europe]] during the [[Cold War]]. |
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With the reassignment of the [[4th Fighter Wing]] to Europe, Chitose was phased down for return to Japanese control. The 6029th Support Group was activated and continued support for the units assigned to the base. It was inactivated along with the other Untied States miltiary units at the base on 1 July 1953, returning the facility over to Japanese control. |
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Until 1988, '''Chitose Airport''' was the main airport serving the [[Sapporo]] metropolitan area. A new terminal building opened in 1963 and immigration facilities were constructed in 1969. In 1981, Chitose received its first scheduled international flights to [[Honolulu]]. However, following the opening of [[New Chitose Airport]], all civilian passenger service moved there. |
Until 1988, '''Chitose Airport''' was the main airport serving the [[Sapporo]] metropolitan area. A new terminal building opened in 1963 and immigration facilities were constructed in 1969. In 1981, Chitose received its first scheduled international flights to [[Honolulu]]. However, following the opening of [[New Chitose Airport]], all civilian passenger service moved there. |
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Revision as of 23:00, 11 October 2010
Chitose Air Base 千歳基地 Chitose Kichi | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Japan Air Self-Defense Force | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Chitose, Hokkaidō, Japan | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 89 ft / 27 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°47′40″N 141°39′59″E / 42.79444°N 141.66639°E | ||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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Chitose Air Base (千歳基地, Chitose Kichi) (ICAO: RJCJ), is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base located in Chitose, Hokkaidō, adjacent to New Chitose Airport. It is the JASDF's primary base in northern Japan and tasked with monitoring Japan's maritime borders with Russia. It was also Hokkaidō's primary civilian airport until the opening of New Chitose Airport in 1988. Together, these two jointly operated and connected airports create one of the largest airports in Japan.
History
Chitose's first flight came in 1926, when the Otaru Shimbun newspaper sponsored the "Hokkai One" (Hokkai-ichigō) flight, originating at a 10-hectare air field donated by the villagers of Chitose. In 1939, the Imperial Japanese Navy took over the field.
After Japan's surrender in 1945, ending World War II, the United States Armed Forces took over the base, being primarily under the control of the United States Army Air Force, and later the United States Air Force Fifth Air Force. Major USAF occupation units assigned to Chitose Air Base were:
- 3d Air Commando Group (309th Bombardment Wing), October 1945-March 1946
- 49th Fighter Group (later Wing), February 1946-April 1948
The base was used largely as a maintenance and logistics facility in the late 1940s prior to the Korean War, under the operational control of the 314th Air Division, Johnson Air Base. Chintose wss operated as a sub-base to Johnson AB. As a result of the Korean War, the 6163d Air Base Wing was activated on 1 January 1951. The airfield was used primarily as an emergency landing field for aircraft returning from combat missions over Korea, and as a maintenance and repair depot by Technical Service Command.
During the Allied occupation, in 1951, Chitose received its first scheduled civilian flights to Tokyo, operated by Japan Airlines.
After the 1953 Korean Armistice, the USAF moved it's F-86 Sabre-equipped 4th Fighter Group (later Wing) from Kimpo AB (K-14), South Korea in September 1954. The only American combat unit assigned to Chintose, the squadron provided air defense of Hokkido for several years, being reassigned to NATO in France in July 1957 as part of the USAF buildup in Europe during the Cold War.
With the reassignment of the 4th Fighter Wing to Europe, Chitose was phased down for return to Japanese control. The 6029th Support Group was activated and continued support for the units assigned to the base. It was inactivated along with the other Untied States miltiary units at the base on 1 July 1953, returning the facility over to Japanese control.
Until 1988, Chitose Airport was the main airport serving the Sapporo metropolitan area. A new terminal building opened in 1963 and immigration facilities were constructed in 1969. In 1981, Chitose received its first scheduled international flights to Honolulu. However, following the opening of New Chitose Airport, all civilian passenger service moved there.
JSDF Units based at Chitose
Northern Air Defense Force
- 2nd Air Wing
- 201st Tactical Flighter Squadron (F-15 Eagle)
- 203rd Tactical Flighter Squadron (F-15 Eagle)
- 3rd Air Defence Missile Group (Patriot missiles)
- 9th Fire Unit
- 10th Fire Unit
- 8th Mobile Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron
Air Support Command
- Special Air Transport Corps (Boeing 747s used by Japanese government)
- Chitose Air Rescue Wing (UH-60J,U-125A)
Accidents and incidents
- July 30, 1971: All Nippon Airways Flight 58, while on a route from Chitose to Tokyo Haneda, collided with a fighter plane. All of the people on board died.
Chitose Air Base in Fiction
In the anime OAV 801 T.T.S. Airbats, the series takes place on the Chitose Air Base.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
