Central Readiness Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Central Readiness Force | |
|---|---|
 Official Central Readiness Force insignia |
|
| Active | March 28, 2007 - Present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch | Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces |
| Type | Mixture of Special Forces, Aerial Transportation, anti-NBC Warfare and Military Training units |
| Role | Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare, Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism |
| Size | 4,335 soldiers |
| Part of | Controls 1st Airborne Brigade, 1st Helicopter Brigade, Japanese Special Operations Group, 101st NBC Protection Unit, International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit, Anti-NBC Medical Unit and the Central Readiness Regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | Nerima, Tokyo |
| Nickname | CRF |
| Engagements | United Nations Mission in Nepal |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi |
The Central Readiness Force (中央即応集団 Chūō Sokuō Shūdan?) was recently established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency[1]. Based in Asaka's Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) base in Nerima, Tokyo, the unit has the capability of responding to any situation in either Japanese or foreign soil. The unit can also be Japan's response to any combat operations in further peacekeeping missions as a rapid reaction force[2] as a part of the Japanese government's National Defense Program Guidelines over the need to improve the JGSDF's capabilities to deal with new defense issues such as foreign peacekeeping operations and anti-terrorist operations[3].
The CRF had a formal ceremony in the same base on March 31, 2007. Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma was the guest of honor in formally inaugurating the force. Lieutenant General Josho Yamaguchi (山口淨秀陸将? Yamaguchi Josho Chūjō) is the first and current commanding officer of the CRF.[4]
Contents |
[edit] History
Formed on March 28, 2007, the CRF has consolidated the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, the Japanese Special Operations Group and the 101st NBC Protection Unit into a single force meant to conduct operations in domestic and foreign soil.[5]
On March 31, 2007, the Central Readiness Force had held its formal ceremony at the JGSDF's Asaka base in Nerima, Tokyo, which included guests such as Fumio Kyuma and Josho Yamaguchi, the former presiding over the formal establishment of the CRF.[4]
The CRF went to be deployed in its first civil disaster mission to quell wildfires in the forests of the Yamanashi Prefecture on April 29, 2007 with the 1st Helicopter Brigade being deployed after its integration to the force.[6]
The CRF had conducted a military exercise on October 31, 2007 with its subordinate units participating in a wider range of scenarios from anti-NBC cleanup to personnel transportation and evacuation.[7]
6 of its officers left for Nepal as participants of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). Prior to arriving in the country, they were not allowed to engage against Maoist rebels due to Article 9 regulations except for self-defense[8]. They have returned on March 31, 2008.
[edit] Staff
[edit] List of Commanders
| Name (English) | Name (Japanese) | Year of Appointment | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josho Yamaguchi | 山口 淨秀 (Yamaguchi Josho) | March 28, 2007 | Western Army Chief of Staff |
[edit] List of Deputy Commander for Domestic Operations
| Name (English) | Name (Japanese) | Year of Appointment | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toshiaki Tanaka | 田中 敏明 (Tanaka Toshiaki) | March 28, 2007 | Northern Army Vice Chief of Staff |
[edit] List of Deputy Commander for International Operations
| Name (English) | Name (Japanese) | Year of Appointment | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kouichi Isobe | 磯部 晃一 (Isobe Kouichi) | March 28, 2007 | Eastern Army Vice Chief of Staff |
[edit] List of Chiefs of Staff
| Name (English) | Name (Japanese) | Year of Appointment | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kizuku Fukuda | 福田 築 (Fukuda Kizuku) | March 28, 2007 | Eastern Army Commanding Officer, Defense Plans & Operations Department |
[edit] List of Vice Chiefs of Staff
| Name (English) | Name (Japanese) | Year of Appointment | Previous Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toshihiro Honjyo Hirofumi Takizawa |
本庄 俊弘 (Honjyo Toshihiro) 滝澤 博文 (Takizawa Hirofumi) |
March 28, 2007 | Eastern Army Commanding Officer, Defense Plans & Operations Department |
[edit] Structure
The structure of the CRF has been created with the following established for its headquarters:
[edit] Chain of Command
- Commander (Lieutenant General)
- Deputy Commander for Domestic Operations (Major General)
- Deputy Commander for International Operations (Major General)
- Chief of Staff (Colonel)
- Vice Chief of Staff (2 officers with rank of Colonel)
[edit] Divisions
- Personnel
- Intelligence
- Defense Plans & Operations
- Logistics
- Administration
- Accounting
- Communications
- National Welfare
[edit] Personnel
- Reporting Officer
- Army Surgeon
- Inspector
- Law Officer
- Staff Manager
- Adjutant
[edit] Formation
[edit] Current
- Headquarters - Asaka, Nerima, Tokyo with 230 personnel
- 1st Airborne Brigade - Narashino, Chiba with 1,900 personnel
- Central Readiness Regiment - Utsunomiya with 700 personal
- Special Operations Group - Narashino, Chiba with 300 personnel
- 1st Helicopter Brigade - Kisarazu, Chiba with 900 personnel
- 101st NBC Protection Unit - Ōmiya-ku, Saitama with 155 personnel
- Anti-NBC Medical Unit - Asaka with 70 personnel
- International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit - Camp Komakado, Shizuoka with 80 personnel
[edit] Symbols
The following are represented in the insignia and patch of the Central Readiness Force:
[edit] CRF Insignia
- Purple Shadow - CRF's joint cooperation with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces.[9]
The insignia symbolizes the CRF's mandate to operate in Japanese soil.[9]
[edit] CRF Patch
- Cherry Blossoms - CRF's commanding officer.[9]
The patch symbolizes the CRF's mandate to operate in foreign territory as a representative of Japan in Peacekeeping missions.[9]
[edit] Future Plan
Under future plans to unify cooperation between Japan and the United States, the Central Readiness Force's headquarters will eventually be transferred out to Camp Zama by the year 2012[10][11]. This would be done for the US military and the JSDF to operate with improved interoperability.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ Japan launches counter-terrorism force. Retrieved on June 6, 2008.
- ^ GSDF launches quick terror-response division. Retrieved on April 1, 2007.
- ^ Japan Establishes Rapid Reaction Force. Retrieved on June 6, 2008.
- ^ a b Central Readiness Force Greetings Page. Retrieved on April 1, 2007. (Japanese)
- ^ Central Readiness Force Organization Page. Retrieved on April 1, 2007. (Japanese)
- ^ 山梨県甲州市勝沼町山林火災災害派遣. Retrieved on January 9, 2008. (Japanese)
- ^ 中央即応集団演習開始. Retrieved on January 9, 2008. (Japanese)
- ^ SDF officers arrive in Nepal for U.N. mission. Retrieved on April 1, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h CRF insignia and symbol. Retrieved on January 11, 2008.
- ^ Washington, Tokyo near unified command. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
- ^ Local opposition is certain even if Camp Zama expansion is not. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
- ^ Pacific Army Forces Push Readiness. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Official Page (Japanese)
- Official Page (English)
