Special Forces Group (Japan)

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Japanese Special Forces Group
200px
Official Japanese Special Operations Group Flag
Active March 27, 2004–present
Country Japan Japan
Branch Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.svg Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Type Special Forces
Role Special operations
Direct Action
Airborne assault
Unconventional Warfare
Reconnaisance
Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism
Size Classified
Part of JGSDF Central Readiness Force.svg Central Readiness Force
Garrison/HQ Narashino Garrison, Funabashi, Chiba
Nickname(s) SFGp/Special Forces Group
(New Name)
TSG (In Japanese)
SOG/Special Operations Group (Old Name)
Engagements Iraqi occupation
Commanders
Current
commander		 Takanori Hirata (Colonel)
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 SFGp Pin Badge、Black Beret

The Japanese Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群 Tokushu Sakusen Gun?) is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's counter-terrorist unit established by the former Japanese Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style attacks on Japanese soil[1] and to conduct military operations, like the 1st Airborne Brigade, against guerrillas or enemy commandos.[2][3] The unit is based in Narashino, Chiba garrison[3] in Funabashi, Chiba with the 1st Airborne Brigade. The unit was formerly known as the Special Operations Group.[3]

The SFGp has been referred to as Japan's Delta Force,[4] due to their specialized role in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Delta Force personnel had been responsible for assisting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in raising the SFGp's foundations prior to its establishment.[5]

The civilian counterpart of the SFGp is the Japanese National Police Agency's Special Assault Team.

History

In 1998, the Japan Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit in the JGSDF that would handle tasks such as counter-terrorism with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade sent to the United States to be trained by Delta Force operators.[5] At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade as a means of creating the unit's foundations. These consist of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).[5]

The establishment of unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organization.[5] The unit's structure is based on Delta Force and the Green Berets.[4]

On March 27, 2004, the Japan Defense Agency had activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its Counter-terrorist unit.[5]

In 2005, the SFGp had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the Japanese commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's contingent in Iraq under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.[4]

On March 28, 2007, the SFGp merged with the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade and the 101st NBC Protection Unit to create the Central Readiness Force.[6][7]

The unit changed its name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFGp or the Special Forces Group.[8]

Formation

Training

Potential recruits to the SFGp are drawn from Ranger-qualified personnel from the 1st Airborne Brigade. As such, all SFGp soldiers are Airborne-qualified.[5]

For specialized training, the 1st Platoon have their freefall training under the 1st Airborne Brigade with the 2nd Platoon under the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.[5]

The SFGp has a training facility inside the JGSDF Narashino, Chiba camp to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB tactics.

Weapons

Assault rifles

Battle Rifles

Submachine guns

Pistols

Sniper rifles

Others

Equipment

The SFGp has access to equipment used by the JGSDF, such as the Komatsu LAVs and Toyota Koukidoushas for transport and reconnaissance use. They also work in conjunction with the 1st Helicopter Brigade to provide mobility support, though they can be also deployed via C-130 Hercules aircraft.[13]

Unit features

As part of regulating and protecting the identities of the various soldiers serving in the SFGp, their faces are hidden in balaclavas and cannot be revealed except with authorization from their commanding officers.[3][14] It is said that personnel cannot enter certain areas of their Narashino camp, such as the SFGp barracks, unless they have the proper identification with them.

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Archived December 1, 2005 at the Wayback Machine Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "SF" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ Archived June 22, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 全文掲載：飯柴大尉の声明文. Retrieved on January 12, 2009. (Japanese)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 14hk093 (PDF) (Japanese) Retrieved 2015-05-26
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Miscellaneous notes
  1. ^ Companies of the Japanese Special Forces Group are under the command of a Major.
  2. ^ Company HQ and the platoons under it are also found within the 2nd and 3rd SOG companies.
  3. ^ Commanded by a Lieutenant.

External links

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