1st Hiko Sentai (1st Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
On July 5, 1938 the 1st Hiko Sentai (1st Flying Regiment) was established as the first flying unit in the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF). The 1st Sentai operated fighter aircraft including the Ki-27 Nate, Ki-43 Oscar and finally the Ki-84 Frank. Operated from Manchuria, China, Burma, East Indies, Indochina, Rabaul, Solomons, New Guinea, Philippines, Formosa and Japan.

Wartime History
During the late 1930s, equipped with the Type 97 Fighter / Ki-27 Nate. During the Nomonhan Incident (Battle of Khalkhin Gol) the 1st Sentai claimed 245 Soviet aircraft shot down plus 95 probables unti September 1939 when a cease-fire ended the undeclared border war.

On January 9, 1943 the 1st Sentai arrived at Rabaul equipped with the Ki-43-I Oscar.

On January 27, 1943 a total of 74 Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) planes strike Guadalcanal. The Japanese formation includes nine Ki-48 Lilys from 45th Sentai that took off from Munda Airfield escorted by Ki-43-I Oscars from 1st Sentai and 11th Sentai. This was the only mission by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) against Guadalcanal. During the air combat, seven Oscars are shot down over Guadalcanal between Kokumbona to Cape Esperance. Returning, five damaged Ki-43-I Oscars landed at Ballale Airfield. The Americans lost seven planes including: two P-38s, two P-40s plus two P-40s damaged beyond repair and one F4F from VMF-112 ditched out of fuel returning from the mission.

During October 1944 moves to Manapla Airfield (Carolina) on northern Negros with Ki-84 Franks and operates until November 1944.

1st Hiko Sentai Known Aircraft
Ki-27 Nate pilot MSgt Shintaro  force landed July 25, 1939
Ki-27 Nate Aikokuki 292  crashed August 22, 1939

References
Emblems of the Rising Sun (1999) page 15 (1st Sentai)
Ki-43 'Oscar' Aces of World War 2 (2009) pages 73-77
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces 1931–1945 (2002) pages XXX (1st Sentai)
Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945 (2011) by Hata, Izawa and Shores pages XXX (1st Hiko Sentai)
Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information

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