1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)

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1st Airborne Brigade

1st Airborne Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Patch
Active 1958 - Present
Country Flag of Japan Japan
Branch Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
Type Airborne Infantry, Special Forces
Role Airborne operations, Direct Action, Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare
Size 1900 paratroopers
Part of Under control of Central Readiness Force
Garrison/HQ Funabashi, Chiba
Nickname Narashino Airborne Brigade, 1AB
Engagements Iraq occupation
Commanders
Current
commander		 Toshiya Okabe
Notable
commanders		 Hayao Kinugasa, Masanobu Kobayashi, Satoshi Mizuno, Yosihiko Doi, Kenichi Kinomura, Shizuo Sekine
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 1st Airborne Brigade Shoulder Patch

The 1st Airborne Brigade (第1空挺団 Dai-ichi Kūtei-dan?), also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade, is stationed in the Narashino Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture[1]. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force[2].

The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper unit meant to counter against either guerrillas or enemy Special forces units[3][4]. 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 Operations 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.

Contents

[edit] History

After the end of World War II 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[5]. 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[5]. An additional armed transport unit was established in 1973.[5]

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[6], 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[5] and in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.[6]

Preparations to create a new special forces unit went underway under the Brigade in 2000.[5]

In 2003, the framework of the Special Operations Group was established as an anti-guerilla/terrorist unit embedded in the Brigade[5], 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.[5]

1st Airborne 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 in March 28, 2007.[7]

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.[8]

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Firearms Handling

In 1994, Colonel Yasunobu Hideshima had been arrested by JGSDF 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[9]. Lieutenant Colonels Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki were suspended for 20 days for neglect of duty[10].

[edit] 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[11]. 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.[11]

[edit] 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 NCOs (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.

[edit] Formation

1st Airborne Brigade forces in Narashino during annual exercises.
1st Airborne Brigade forces in Narashino during annual exercises.
  • Headquarters
  • Headquarters Company
  • Three Paratroop Battalions
    • 1st Battalion
    • 2nd Battalion
    • 3rd Battalion
  • Field Artillery Battalion
  • Communications Troop
  • Facilities Troop
  • Logistics Troop
  • Training Unit

[edit] Weapons

Standard weapons are from the JGSDF, including:

[edit] Deployment

[edit] Local

  • 1st Airborne Brigade paratroopers have only been seen in action through annual new year JSDF exhibition shows in Narashino.[12]

[edit] Overseas

  • The Brigade has scheduled 170 paratroopers to be sent into Samawa as part of the JGSDF's commitment in Iraq. Training had been conducted for a short time with a joint exercise with soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's 2nd Battalion.[13] All of them have been withdrawn.

[edit] Known Personnel

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ "Guide unit" established in GSDF to transport and escort Japanese nationals overseas in times of emergency. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  2. ^ (2007). "Japan Primer". . University of Texas Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
  3. ^ Official 1st Airborne Brigade Page. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  4. ^ What is the CRF（Central Readiness Force)? Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page. - Internet Archive Link. Retrieved on December 12, 2007. (Japanese)
  6. ^ a b SDF profile upgraded as anniversary approaches. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.
  7. ^ Central Readiness Force Organization Page. Retrieved on December 13, 2007. (Japanese)
  8. ^ Japanese Sniper School. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  9. ^ a b GSDF crime coverup alleged. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.
  10. ^ Colonel fired in gun misuse coverup. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Japanese soldier finds way to evade Iraqi duty", Manila Times, October 19, 2006
  12. ^ Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Airborne Brigade. Retrieved on April 1, 2008.
  13. ^ Oregon Guard Soldiers Train Japanese Troops for Deployment to Iraq. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
  14. ^ Saito just one of many Japanese in French Foreign Legion: ex-legionnaire. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.

[edit] External links

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