| 1st Airborne Brigade | |
|---|---|
1st Airborne Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Patch |
|
| Active | 1958 - Present |
| Country | Japan |
| Branch | Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces |
| Type | Airborne Infantry |
| Role | Airborne operations, Direct Action, Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | 1900 paratroopers |
| Part of | Under control of Central Readiness Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Narashino Garrison, Funasbashi, Chiba |
| Nickname | Narashino Airborne Brigade, 1AB |
| Engagements | Iraq occupation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Tetsuro Yamanoue |
| Notable commanders |
Hayao Kinugasa, Yoshifumi Hibako, 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 (習志野空挺団),[1] is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.[2][3] It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force[4]
The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper unit meant to counter against either guerrillas or enemy special forces units.[5] Under the Brigade is the Guide Unit, serving as its NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations) unit.[2] 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.[1]
The current commander is Major General Tetsuro Yamanoue.[6]
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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.[7] 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.[7] An additional armed transport unit was established in 1973.[7]
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,[8] 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[7] and in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.[8]
A Guide Unit had been established on October 20, 1999 and based at Funabashi, Chiba.[2] Preparations to create a new special forces unit went underway under the Brigade in 2000.[7]
In 2003, the framework of the Special Operations Group was established as an anti-guerrilla/terrorist unit embedded in the Brigade,[7] 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.[7]
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.[9]
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.[10]
In 1994, Colonel Yasunobu Hideshima was 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.[11] Lieutenant Colonels Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki were suspended for 20 days for neglect of duty.[12]
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.[13] 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.[13]
Before joining the 1st Airborne Brigade, all potential candidates must be able to pass the following requirements:
The following structure is as follows:[6]
Standard weapons are from the JGSDF, including:[14]
Ranger badges are given out to 1AB paratrooper after completing intensive training, as it is coveted by active duty SDF soldiers.[1]