Akeno: downwash alert

The first operational visit was scheduled for Monday at Akeno Army Air Field. Based at Akeno is the Army Aviation School. Among the types based is the OH-6, AH-1 and the OH-1 which can only be seen in Japan. The latest acquisition of the Japanese Army, the AH-64, was also seen and presumably based here.

Like most airfields in Japan, Akeno offers good viewing spots and helicopters which taxi to the runway or make an approach to the airfield from the south can "almost" be touched. After a quick check by an intel officer (which would become a daily routine during our trip) and the usual morning ceremonies at the airbase, flying started.

Fortunately, every based helicopter type flew during this morning and a visiting CH-47 completed our first 'operational' day. As we had a long drive to Nyutabaru ahead of us, we decided to leave early in the afternoon.