Kisarazu says farewell to the CH-47J

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 1st Helicopter Brigade (1 Herikoputadan) at Kisarazu waved off its last CH-47J Chinook, on 19 July 2021.

This last example of the non-radar nosed Chinook version, serial 52929, was operated by local 103 Hikotai. All four Kisarazu Chinook units now operate the improved CH-47JA version, build by Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Gifu.

The two versions can be distinguished by the much larger sponsoons and the black radar nose on the CH-47JA, the serial range of this version starts at 52951.

The JGSDF received a total of 34 CH-47Js, the majority built by Kawasaki. The first five were either built in the USA by Boeing-Vertol or delivered in kit form to Gifu for final assembly. Of these 34, four were converted to the CH-47JA version (serials 52902, 52910, 52917 and 52924) at Gifu. Another five are in use as instructional airframe and only one is confirmed as stored at the Kanto Depot at Kasumigaura.

Four units still operate the oldest Japanese version of the Chinook, 12 Herikoputatai from Soumagahara (XIIH coded), 3 Hikotai of the Chubu Homen Herikoputatai from Miho (MH), Kyoiku Shien Hikotai from Akeno (SD) and the training unit Kasumigaura Kou (SK). Unfortunately the fate of a few former Kisarazu CH-47Js remains unknown, anybody who can help us?

52903, formerly 105 Hikotai, l/n August 2013 so probably withdrawn from use
52906, formerly 105 Hikotai, l/n at Akeno January 2021
52911, formerly 103 Hikotai, l/n January 2014
52912, formerly 106 Hikotai, l/n January 2016
52914, formerly 104 Hikotai, l/n July 2017
52915, formerly 105 Hikotai, l/n October 2015
52919, formerly 103 Hikotai, l/n September 2018
52920, formerly 105 Hikotai, l/n October 2017
52927, formerly 104 Hikotai, l/n January 2019
52929, formerly 103 Hikotai, departing Kisarazu 19 July 2021

Photo by Hans van Dam