, also simply known as the JMSDF Maizuru Naval Base, is a group of ports and land facilities of the
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
, abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...
(JMSDF), which are scattered in multiple districts of
Maizuru City,
Kansai region
The or the , lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, often also Mie, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. The metropolita ...
, and where the
Maizuru District Force
is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Prefe ...
, etc. are located. It is not officially called a
base, but it is used as a common name.
Background
In the
Meiji era
The is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.
The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization b ...
strategy against
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
, the
Japanese Navy
, abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ...
had a long-cherished desire to establish a military base for the Navy on the
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is the marginal sea between the Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the mainland of the Russian Far East. The Japanese archipelago separates the sea from the Pacific Ocean. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it h ...
side, and in 1889, the bay mouth was narrow and suitable for defense. In 1901, a guardian office was set up in Maizuru by setting a white arrow in
Maizuru Bay
is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Prefe ...
, which was a good terrain for a military port because the waves were quiet in the bay and many ships could berth. It is located at
Maizuru Port
is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Prefe ...
(Maizuru East Port), which has been used as a military port since the opening of the Imperial Japanese Navy's
Maizuru Naval District
was one of four main administrative districts of the pre-war Imperial Japanese Navy. Its territory included the entire Sea of Japan coastline from northern Kyūshū to western Hokkaidō.
History
The strategic importance of the location of Maizur ...
.
Before
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the Imperial Japanese Navy Maizuru Naval District was located, but in normal times no
battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of large caliber guns. It dominated naval warfare in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The term ''battleship'' came into use in the late 1880s to describe a type of ...
s were placed, and it was closed during the
Washington Naval Treaty
The Washington Naval Treaty, also known as the Five-Power Treaty, was a treaty signed during 1922 among the major Allies of World War I, which agreed to prevent an arms race by limiting naval construction. It was negotiated at the Washington Nav ...
, so it was neglected in terms of operation compared to other guardian offices. Many relatively old ships were deployed before and after the war, but in recent years it has been reviewed as the most important base on the Sea of Japan side, and two missile boats and the Sea of Japan to prepare for the activities of
North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu River, Y ...
n-registered craft ships. Due to its strategic importance, two Aegis ships were also deployed in sequence. Recently, the adjacent large wave bunker facility has been expanded. It is being strengthened as the only base of the Maritime Self-Defense Force on the Sea of Japan side, with a vast defensive range from the border between
Shimane
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Shimane Prefecture is the List of Japanese prefectures by population, second-least populous prefecture of Japan at 665,205 (February 1, 2021) and has a geo ...
and
Yamaguchi prefectures to the border between
Akita
is a Japanese name and may refer to:
Places
* 8182 Akita, a main-belt asteroid
* Akita Castle, a Nara period fortified settlement in Akita, Japan
* Akita Domain, also known as Kubota Domain, feudal domain in Edo period Japan
* Akita, Kumamoto, ...
and
Aomori prefectures.
The main port of the Maizuru District Force, which is in charge of most of the security on the Sea of Japan side, as well as the 3rd Escort Squadron of the 3rd Escort Flotilla, etc. are their
home ports.
History
On 1 August 1952, the Maizuru District Force was newly established at the same time as the
National Safety Agency
, was a Japanese administrative agency that once existed. It was set up from 1 August 1952 to 30 June 1954 and was established for the purpose of integrating the National Police Reserve and the Safety Security Force. The NSA is the predecessor of ...
Coastal Security Force
The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in n ...
was established. On November 10, the Maizuru District Force moves from Matsugasaki to Yobe. Then on December 27, Maizuru Training Corps was a new edition. Maizuru and
Niigata route enlightenment teams were abolished.
On September 16, 1953, new edition of Maizuru Base Guard.
On 28 December 1954, the Self-Defense Forces Maizuru Hospital was opened.
On 1 May1955, the new edition of Maizuru Communication Corps.
On 10 May 1957, it was renamed from Maizuru Training Corps to Maizuru Education Corps.
On 1 February 1961, new editions includes the Maizuru Supply Station, Maizuru Factory and Maizuru Torai Coordination Station.
On March 20, 1962, new edition of the Maizuru Defense Force and was later renamed from Maizuru Base Guard to Maizuru Guard.
On March 2, 1970, new editions of Maizuru Zoushusho and Maizuru Medic. Maizuru workshop was abolished.
On 1 October 1975, the Maritime Self-Defense Force 4th Technical School opens.
On May 11, 1976, new edition of Maizuru Ongakutai.
On 27 December 1977, a new
Underwater Explosive Disposal Unit was added to the Maizuru Defense Force.
On 1 July 1985, the Maizuru torpedo maintenance station was a new edition. Maizuru torpedo adjustment station was abolished.
On July 1, 1987, the Maizuru Defense Force was abolished and reorganization of the guard took place. New edition of Maizuru Base Business Corps.
On 8 December 1998, the Maizuru Supply Station and Maizuru Repair Station were integrated and reorganized into Maizuru Repair Supply Station due to organizational restructuring of the supply and maintenance department, and Maizuru Torai Maintenance Center was changed to Maizuru Ammunition Maintenance and Supply Reorganized into Tokoro.
In late March 2021, with the strengthening of the functions of the Self-Defense Forces Yokosuka Hospital, the Self-Defense Forces Maizuru Hospital would be abolished and reduced to a clinic.
Facilities and operational units
*
Maizuru District Force
is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Prefe ...
**Maizuru District General Manager
**Maizuru Repair Supply Station
**Maizuru Guard
**Maizuru Ammunition Maintenance Supply Station
**Maizuru Education Corps
**Maizuru Music Corps
**Maizuru Medic
**Maizuru Base Operations Corps
**44th Mine Warfare Force
*
Fleet Escort Force
The is the main force of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and played a central role in the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which mainly consists of escort vessels and various other ships. Together with the Fleet Su ...
**3rd Escort Squadron
**14th Escort Squadron
**1st Replenishment-at-Sea Squadron
**
Fleet Training Command
*
Communications Command
Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inquir ...
*
JMSDF Criminal Investigation Command
*
JMSDF 4th Technical School
*JMSDF Maizuru Hospital
*Kinki Chubu Defense Bureau
File:JMSDF MaizuruBase KitasuiQuay Springs with Cherry Blossoms.jpg, 3rd Escort Flotilla at Maizuru Naval Base
File:JMSDF Maizuru Naval Base Gate 20100811.jpg, Gate to Maizuru Naval BAse
File:JS Asashio(TSS-3601) at Maizuru Naval Base July 16, 2016 02.jpg, JS Asashio at Maizuru Naval Base
File:JS Fuyuzuki(DD-118) at JMU Maizuru Shipyard January 21, 2017 03.jpg, JS Fuyuzuki at JMU Maizuru Shipyard
Maizuru Air Base
, also simply known as the JMSDF Maizuru Air Base, or JMSDF Maizuru Air Station, is the only air base on the Sea of Japan side of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the need to strengthen its defense system was called for in preparation for the darkening of North Korean craft ships. However, because there was no Maritime Self-Defense Force air base nearby, the aircraft of the escort vessels belonging to the 3rd escort group whose home port is Maizuru Port are flying from
Tateyama Air Base
is a military aerodrome of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is located outside the city of Tateyama in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, at the southern tip of the Bōsō Peninsula.
Operations
JMSDF Tateyama Air Base is currently the headquarte ...
(
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Chiba Prefecture has a population of 6,278,060 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Chiba Prefecture borders Ibaraki Prefecture to the north, Saitama Prefecture to the ...
) each time. It was pointed out that "Maizuru is a defective base".
Therefore, the Maritime Self-Defense Force made a plan to develop a
runway
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft". Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt concrete, as ...
,
control tower
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airsp ...
,
hangar
A hangar is a building or structure designed to hold aircraft or spacecraft. Hangars are built of metal, wood, or concrete. The word ''hangar'' comes from Middle French ''hanghart'' ("enclosure near a house"), of Germanic origin, from Frankish ...
, etc. on a site of about 220,000 m2 in the
Nagahama District of Maizuru City, and started construction in 1996. Completed on March 22, 2001, the Maizuru Air Division under the control of the 123rd Air Corps of the 21st Fleet Air Group was initially formed, and six patrol helicopters
SH-60J
The Mitsubishi H-60 series is twin- turboshaft engine helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family for use by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). The SH-60J/K/L are anti-submarine patrol versions for the Japan Maritime Self-Defe ...
were stationed there. On March 26, 2008, the Maizuru Air Division was upgraded, the 23rd Air Group was newly formed under the 21st Air Group, and the number of patrol helicopters was increased to 12 (SH-60J / K). The defense system on the Sea of Japan side will be strengthened.
On March 24, 2001, Maizuru Airfield completed and the Maizuru Air Detachment, Maizuru Maintenance and Supply Detachment and Maizuru Air Base Detachment were newly added to the 123rd Air Group of the 21st Air Group.
In February 2002, dispatched to the
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or ~19.8% of the water on Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east. To the south it is bounded by th ...
under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law (patrol helicopter mounted on an escort ship). Since then, dispatched a total of 4 times. On April 3, dispatched to a disaster for a tanker sinking accident. Conducted a survey of oil diffusion on the sea surface.
In October 2004, dispatched a disaster to the flood damage of the
Yura River caused by
Typhoon Vicente in 2004. SH-60J and others belonging to this base rescued passengers left behind on the roof of a submerged sightseeing bus. Disaster dispatch for the
2004 Chūetsu earthquake
The occurred in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, at 17:56 local time (08:56 UTC) on Saturday, October 23, 2004. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) named it the . that occurred on October 23.
In August 2006,
Defense Agency
The is an executive department of the Government of Japan responsible for preserving the peace and independence of Japan, and maintaining the country’s national security and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The ministry is headed by the ...
decides to upgrade Maizuru Air Detachment to Air Corps.
In 2007, disaster dispatch for the
Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred on March 25. Conducted damage situation reconnaissance. Disaster dispatch for the
Mie-ken Chubu Earthquake that occurred on April 15. Conducted damage situation reconnaissance. Dispatched to the
Niigata Chuetsu-oki Earthquake that occurred on July 16. Conducted damage situation reconnaissance and transportation of personnel and relief supplies.
On January 23, 2008, transport of emergency cases of burns from Maizuru to
Kanazawa
is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 466,029 in 203,271 households, and a population density of 990 persons per km2. The total area of the city was .
Overview Cityscape
File:もてな ...
(Request for dispatch of disaster due to helicopter inability to fly). On February 12, rescue of fallen people from fishing rafts in Maizuru Bay. On March 3, search for distressed fishing boats off Kyogamisaki.
March 26: Maizuru Air Detachment abolished. The 23rd Air Corps was newly released under the 21st Air Group. Increased the number of resident helicopters from 6 to 12.
May 20: Search for victims of personal watercraft capsizing. From 6 to 7 December, search for missing persons while surfing off
Takahama,
Fukui Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Fukui Prefecture has a population of 778,943 (1 June 2017) and has a geographic area of 4,190 km2 (1,617 sq mi). Fukui Prefecture borders Ishikawa Prefecture to the north, Gi ...
.
From 6 July to 29 November 2009, dispatch of a countermeasure unit for pirates off the
coast of Somalia under the Act on Punishment of Piracy and Countermeasures against Piracy (escort-based aircraft). Since then, as of January 2020, dispatched a total of 5 times. On July 23, dispatched to a disaster in response to a rotorcraft distress in the Tajima region of
Hyogo prefecture. Conducted a search for distressed aircraft. On September 3 SH-60K begins to be deployed to the 23rd Air Corps. On November 2, search for anglers in distress at Fukui Port.
From 11 March to 31 August 2011, SH-60J / SH-60K was dispatched to the
Great East Japan Earthquake
Great may refer to: Descriptions or measurements
* Great, a relative measurement in physical space, see Size
* Greatness, being divine, majestic, superior, majestic, or transcendent
People
* List of people known as "the Great"
*Artel Great (born ...
that occurred on March 11 (escort carrier-based aircraft).
On March 12, 2015, The 23rd Air Group has completed the operation of SH-60J.
From 22 April to 4 May 2016, dispatched to the
Kumamoto earthquake that occurred on April 14. Participated as a member of the bathing support unit in the disaster area.
File:舞鶴航空基地正門.jpg, Main entrance to Maizuru Air Base
File:舞鶴飛行場(開設当時).jpg, Maizuru Air Base's control tower
File:開設時の舞鶴飛行場の様子.jpg, SH-60J
The Mitsubishi H-60 series is twin- turboshaft engine helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family for use by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). The SH-60J/K/L are anti-submarine patrol versions for the Japan Maritime Self-Defe ...
s at Maizuru Air Base
File:JMSDF SH-60K(8412) at Maizuru Air Station July 16, 2016.jpg, SH-60K at Maizuru Air Station
See also
*
JMSDF Ōminato Naval Base is a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force naval base with port and military aerodrome facilities. It is located on Mutsu Bay in the city of Mutsu in the Aomori Prefecture, in extreme northern Honshū, Japan.
History
On 16 September 1953, the Ōm ...
*
JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base
, also simply known as the JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base, is a group of ports and land facilities of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which are scattered in multiple districts of Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and where the Yokosu ...
References
External links
Maizuru Naval Base official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maizuru Naval Base
Military installations established in 1952
1952 establishments in Japan
Maizuru
is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Pref ...
*