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1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
Encyclopedia
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade (習志野空挺団), is stationed in the Narashino
Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) Base in Funabashi
, Chiba Prefecture
. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper
unit meant to counter against either guerrillas
or enemy special forces
units. Under the Brigade is the Guide Unit, serving as its NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations) unit. Currently, they are attached to current homeland defense and international combat operations under the Central Readiness Force
.
The unit is being likened similarly to the Western Army Infantry Regiment and the Japanese Special Forces Group, since these units are some of Japan's only Special Forces units with an offensive capability as some of Japan's other Special Forces
units are assigned to CT or defensive duties. Their presence in the JGSDF has served the organization as a morale booster.
The current commander is Major General Tetsuro Yamanoue.
and the start of the Cold War
, American occupation forces had allowed the temporary formation of an airborne party from within the ranks of the JGSDF as tensions continued to increase between the United States
and the former Soviet Union
in 1955. In 1958, the Airborne Brigade's first platoon was formed after Hayao Kinugasa
was made the first commander of the unit. It continued to increase in numbers as ranger and free-fall training were added in 1962 and 1969. An additional armed transport unit was established in 1973.
In 1985, the 1st Airborne Brigade was involved in rescue operations of the downed Japan Airlines Flight 123
in the ridges of Mount Takamagahara
in the Gunma Prefecture
, marking the first time that the Brigade was seen in the public eye. Later on, they were also deployed in Yamanashi Prefecture
for civil operations and in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
in 1995.
A Guide Unit had been established on October 20, 1999 and based at Funabashi, Chiba
. Preparations to create a new special forces unit went underway under the Brigade in 2000.
In 2003, the framework of the Special Operations Group was established as an anti-guerrilla/terrorist unit embedded in the Brigade, but was established and separated from the Brigade in 2004 and placed under the control of the Defense Agency via the JGSDF like most of the JSDF's special forces
units.
Brigade paratroopers are involved in Iraq
as the Brigade has started to rotate ground personnel as part of the Japanese government's commitment to Iraq, though they could be withdrawn from Iraqi soil anytime before the end of 2006. They have been withdrawn alongside the bulk of the Japanese Iraqi Reconstruction Support Group in the middle of 2006. The brigade was added to the Central Readiness Force
on March 28, 2007.
On October 9, 2006, members of the Oregon National Guard had a hand in assisting soldiers of the 1st Airborne Brigade in establishing a sniper school to train the unit's first generation of highly skilled snipers during Orient Shield 07.
military police
officers for violating both the Self-Defense Forces Law and the Firearm and Sword Control Law when he allowed three of his friends to use JGSDF
firearms without prior authorization. Lieutenant Colonel
s Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki were suspended for 20 days for neglect of duty.
The following structure is as follows:
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Narashino, Chiba
is a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,809 and a population density of 7850 persons per km². The total area was 20.99 km².-Geography:...
Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) Base in Funabashi
Funabashi, Chiba
is a city located in northwestern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 609,157 and a population density of 7110 persons per km². The total area was 85.64 km². It is the 7th most populous city in Greater Tokyo....
, Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
unit meant to counter against either guerrillas
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
or enemy special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units. Under the Brigade is the Guide Unit, serving as its NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations) unit. Currently, they are attached to current homeland defense and international combat operations under the Central Readiness Force
Central Readiness Force
The was recently established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency. Based in Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, the unit has the capability of responding to any situation in either Japanese...
.
The unit is being likened similarly to the Western Army Infantry Regiment and the Japanese Special Forces Group, since these units are some of Japan's only Special Forces units with an offensive capability as some of Japan's other Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units are assigned to CT or defensive duties. Their presence in the JGSDF has served the organization as a morale booster.
The current commander is Major General Tetsuro Yamanoue.
History
After the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the start of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, American occupation forces had allowed the temporary formation of an airborne party from within the ranks of the JGSDF as tensions continued to increase between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1955. In 1958, the Airborne Brigade's first platoon was formed after Hayao Kinugasa
Hayao Kinugasa
Hayao Kinugasa had formerly served in the Imperial Japanese Army and was one of the few ex-Imperial Army officers who joined up with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces...
was made the first commander of the unit. It continued to increase in numbers as ranger and free-fall training were added in 1962 and 1969. An additional armed transport unit was established in 1973.
In 1985, the 1st Airborne Brigade was involved in rescue operations of the downed Japan Airlines Flight 123
Japan Airlines Flight 123
Japan Airlines Flight 123 was a Japan Airlines domestic flight from Tokyo International Airport to Osaka International Airport on August 12, 1985. The Boeing 747-146SR that made this route, registered , suffered mechanical failures 12 minutes into the flight and 32 minutes later crashed into two...
in the ridges of Mount Takamagahara
Mount Takamagahara
Mount Takamagahara is a mountain in the Gunma Prefecture of Japan, near Ueno village. Its measurement is tall.The crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 was initially reported on Mount Osutaka, but later confirmed to be on the ridge of Mount Takamagahara at a height of approximately above sea level...
in the Gunma Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.- History :The remains of a Paleolithic man were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.Japan was without horses until...
, marking the first time that the Brigade was seen in the public eye. Later on, they were also deployed in Yamanashi Prefecture
Yamanashi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years...
for civil operations and in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
Great Hanshin earthquake
The Great Hanshin earthquake, or Kobe earthquake, was an earthquake that occurred on Tuesday, January 17, 1995, at 05:46 JST in the southern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It measured 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale , and Mj7.3 on JMA magnitude scale. The tremors lasted for approximately 20...
in 1995.
A Guide Unit had been established on October 20, 1999 and based at Funabashi, Chiba
Funabashi, Chiba
is a city located in northwestern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 609,157 and a population density of 7110 persons per km². The total area was 85.64 km². It is the 7th most populous city in Greater Tokyo....
. Preparations to create a new special forces unit went underway under the Brigade in 2000.
In 2003, the framework of the Special Operations Group was established as an anti-guerrilla/terrorist unit embedded in the Brigade, but was established and separated from the Brigade in 2004 and placed under the control of the Defense Agency via the JGSDF like most of the JSDF's special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
units.
Brigade paratroopers are involved in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
as the Brigade has started to rotate ground personnel as part of the Japanese government's commitment to Iraq, though they could be withdrawn from Iraqi soil anytime before the end of 2006. They have been withdrawn alongside the bulk of the Japanese Iraqi Reconstruction Support Group in the middle of 2006. The brigade was added to the Central Readiness Force
Central Readiness Force
The was recently established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency. Based in Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, the unit has the capability of responding to any situation in either Japanese...
on March 28, 2007.
On October 9, 2006, members of the Oregon National Guard had a hand in assisting soldiers of the 1st Airborne Brigade in establishing a sniper school to train the unit's first generation of highly skilled snipers during Orient Shield 07.
Firearms Handling
In 1994, Colonel Yasunobu Hideshima was arrested by JGSDFJapan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
officers for violating both the Self-Defense Forces Law and the Firearm and Sword Control Law when he allowed three of his friends to use JGSDF
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
firearms without prior authorization. Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
s Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki were suspended for 20 days for neglect of duty.
Iraq War
Another scandal had emerged inside the unit when a 38-year old 1st Airborne Brigade paratrooper was arrested in Inzai, Chiba Prefecture for shoplifting. He admitted to officers that he did it to prove that he was serious in not going to Iraq. When JGSDF officials heard about this, they told press officials that they require the consent of the troopers and their relatives. Otherwise, they would not be deployed. The Iraq deployment has caused a national debate in Japan, and reaching a new public consensus is necessary for the military to develop a modern role and structure.Requirements
Before joining the 1st Airborne Brigade, all potential candidates must be able to pass the following requirements:- Join the Brigade on or under 28 if a private; otherwise NCOsNon-commissioned officerA non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
(usually Sergeants) must join on or under 36 years of age. - Have the standard weight and height of 49 kg and 161 cm with chest measurements at 78.5 cm
- Lung capacity of at least 3,200 cm³ or more
- Have no criminal record
- Have the following points from his time in the JGSDF:
- 5 classes or more, 1st method above various eye minimum of 45 points
- Airborne system has been above each minimum of 60 points of 5 items such as suspension stooping jump from aircraft.
- Must be able to lift objects at 30 kg, under, and above for 50 s
- Blood pressure must be at 140mmHg~100mmHg and 90mmHg to candidates who are 34 years old or less.
Organization
- Headquarters
- Headquarters Company
- 1st Infantry Battalion (Airborne)
- 2nd Infantry Battalion (Airborne)
- 3rd Infantry Battalion (Airborne)
- Airborne Artillery Battalion, with two batteries of F1Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1The MO-120 RT-61 or MO-120-RT is a heavy mortar of French origin. It was designed by Thomson-Brandt as the successor for the MO-120 AM-50...
120mm mortars - Airborne Logistic Support Troop
- Signal Company
- Engineer Company
- Airborne School
Weapons
Standard weapons are from the JGSDF, including:- Howa Type 89Howa Type 89The , referred to as the , is a Japanese assault rifle used by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Japan Coast Guard's Special Security Team units, and the Special Assault Team. It was never exported outside of Japan due to its strict anti-hardware export laws...
-F (Para) rifle - Colt M4A1 SOPMOD Block IM4 CarbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
(CQC) carbine - SIG-Sauer P220 pistol
- Minebea PM-9Minebea PM-9The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, known officially in the Japan Self-Defense Forces as the or as the M9, is a Japanese-made machine pistol...
submachine gun - Remington M24 sniper rifle
- Sumitomo Heavy Industries M249 LMGFN MinimiThe Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
- Toshiba Type 91Type 91 Surface-To-Air missileis a Japanese man-portable surface-to-air missile. Its appearance is similar to the US-made FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile.In the ranks of the JSDF, the Type 91 is known as Hand Arrow.-History:...
Mobile SAMSurface-to-air missileA surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
launcher - Type 01 LMATType 01 LMATThe is a Japanese man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile. Development began in 1993 at Kawasaki Heavy Industries and was accepted into service in 2001. During development, the missile was designated with the codename XATM-5...
Ranger qualification
Ranger badges are given out to 1AB paratrooper after completing intensive training, as it is coveted by active duty SDF soldiers.Local
- 1st Airborne Brigade paratroopers have only been seen in action through annual new year JSDF exhibition shows in Narashino.
Overseas
- The Brigade has scheduled 170 paratroopers to be sent into Samawa as part of the JGSDF's commitment in IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Training had been conducted for a short time with a joint exercise with soldiers from the Oregon Army National GuardOregon Army National GuardThe Oregon Army National Guard is a Federally mandated and equipped military organization under the civilian direction of the Oregon Military Department, with the Governor of Oregon as its Commander in Chief. It responds to state and national emergencies, military conflicts and natural disasters,...
's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment162nd Infantry Regiment (United States)The 162nd Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the Oregon Army National Guard with headquarters in Springfield, Oregon. In January, 2006 as part of the Army's transformation towards a modular force, the 1st Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment was inactivated...
. All of them have been withdrawn.