The is the only active

artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during siege ...

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. Br ...

of the

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ( ja, 陸上自衛隊, Rikujō Jieitai), , also referred to as the Japanese Army, is the land warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Created on July 1, 1954, it is the largest of the three service b ...

. The brigade is subordinated to the Northern Army and is headquartered in Chitose,

Hokkaidō is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The la ...

. Its responsibility is the defense of Hokkaidō.

Organization

* 1st Artillery Brigade, in Chitose ** 1st Artillery Brigade HQ, in Chitose ** 1st Artillery Regiment (Mechanized), in Chitose *** 101st Artillery Battalion, in

Bihoro is a town located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The name is derived from the Ainu word ''piporo'', meaning "place of much water". Largely agricultural, the town is best known for the Bihoro Pass, which has views over Lake Kussh ...

, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers *** 102nd Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers *** 129th Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of

M270 The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an American-developed armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. The U.S. Army variant of the MLRS vehicle is based on the chassis of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The first M270s wer ...

Multiple Rocket Launchers A multiple rocket launcher (MRL) or multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a type of rocket artillery system that contains multiple launchers which are fixed to a single platform, and shoots its rocket ordnance in a fashion similar to a volle ...

** 4th Artillery Regiment (Mechanized), in Kamifurano *** 104th Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M110 203mm Howitzers *** 132nd Artillery Battalion, with three batteries of M270 Multiple Rocket Launchers ** 1st Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Chitose, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles ** 2nd Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in

Bibai is a city located in Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of 2013, the city has an estimated population of 24,768, and the density of 89.2 persons per km2. The total area is 277.61 km2. History The name ''Bibai'' is derived from Ainu ...

, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles ** 3rd Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Kamifurano, with four batteries of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missiles ** 301st Observation Battery, in Chitose

External links

Homepage 1st Artillery Brigade
''(Japanese)'' {{JGSDF Units Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Brigade Military units and formations established in 1952