Mitakegahara Training Airfield

Military reorganization and operational changes. The primary reason for the cessation of regular fixed-wing flights was a shift in the doctrine and equipment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The light observation and liaison aircraft, such as the L-19 Bird Dog, that frequently used the airstrip were phased out of service. Their roles were increasingly fulfilled by helicopters, which have more flexible landing requirements and did not necessitate a dedicated paved runway within the training area. Operations were consolidated at larger, more capable JGSDF airbases in the Tōhoku region.

The site is still an active and integral part of the JGSDF Mitakegahara Training Area. The paved runway, approximately 800-900 meters in length, remains clearly visible on satellite imagery. However, it is no longer maintained to aviation standards for fixed-wing aircraft. The area is now used for a variety of military training activities, including vehicle driver training, equipment staging, and as a designated Helicopter Landing Zone (HLZ) during large-scale exercises.

Mitakegahara Training Airfield, also known locally as Takizawa Airfield (滝沢飛行場), was an integral component of the JGSDF Mitakegahara Training Area, one of the largest training grounds for the JGSDF's North Eastern Army. The airfield was attached to JGSDF Camp Iwate. Its primary role was to support ground force exercises by enabling the operation of JGSDF aviation assets. It was used extensively by the North Eastern Army Aviation Group for training flights, reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and liaison missions using light fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The airfield was a key logistical and operational asset from the early days of the JGSDF's formation in the 1950s until its use was scaled back.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airfield for regular aviation use, either military or civilian. Its function has been made obsolete by modern military doctrine and the capabilities of other regional JGSDF airbases (e.g., JGSDF Kasuminome, JGSDF Hachinohe). Furthermore, its location within an active live-fire military training area makes any potential for civilian conversion completely unfeasible.