| Unit Name: | Air Rescue Wing Hamamatsu Detachment |
| Native Name: | 浜松救難隊 |
| Country: | Japan |
| Branch: | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Command Structure: | Air Rescue Wing |
| Garrison: | Hamamatsu Air Base |
| Motto: | That others may live |
| Colours: | --> |
| Colours Label: | --> |
| Aircraft General: | UH-60J, U-125A |
The Air Rescue Wing Hamamatsu Detachment 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]
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]
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.