1st Airborne Brigade (Japan) explained
Unit Name: | 1st Airborne Brigade |
Country: | Japan |
Type: | Airborne forces |
Dates: | June 25, 1958 – present |
Command Structure: | Ground Component Command (陸上総隊) |
Size: | 1,900 soldiers |
Current Commander: | Maj. Gen. Jun'ya Wakamatsu |
Garrison: | Camp Narashino, Funabashi, Chiba |
Nickname: | Narashino Airborne Brigade, 1AB |
Battles: | Iraq War |
Notable Commanders: | Hayao Kinugasa Yoshifumi Hibako Satoshi Mizuno Yosihiko Doi Ken'ichi Kinomura Shizuo Sekine |
The, also known as the,[1] is stationed in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Narashino in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.[2] [3]
The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper unit meant to counter against either guerrilla warfare or commando and airborne units enemy.[4] [5] Since 1999, the Brigade has a, serving as its NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations) unit.[2] Currently, they are attached to current homeland defense and international combat operations under the JGSDF's Ground Component Command (Japanese: 陸上総隊) (formerly under the Central Readiness Force).[6]
History
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 Gunma Prefecture after the local volunteer fire corps found some survivors,[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 after the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in 1995.[8]
A Guide Unit was established on October 20, 1999, and based at Funabashi, Chiba.[2] Preparations to create a new special forces unit went underway in 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 were involved in Iraq as the Brigade rotated ground personnel as part of the Japanese government's commitment to Iraq. They were withdrawn alongside the bulk of the Japanese Iraqi Reconstruction Support Group in the middle of 2006.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 March 2018, the brigade was integrated into the Ground Component Command after the Central Readiness Force was disbanded.[5]
On March 4, 2020, the brigade recruited Sergeant Reina Hashiba, the first female paratrooper who passed selection process.[11] [12]
Due to ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Japan, the brigade has conducted protective measures by letting its paratroopers wear facemasks and limiting the presence of spectators with its first exercise on January 13, 2021.[13]
Scandals
Firearms handling
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.[14] Lieutenant Colonels Yoshiharu Amano and Michihiko Suzuki were suspended for 20 days for neglect of duty.[15]
Iraq War
Another scandal emerged from within 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 demonstrate that he was serious in his effort to avoid deployment to Iraq.[16] 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 had caused a national debate in Japan, and a new public consensus was necessary for the military to develop a modern role and structure.[16]
Assault
A brigade paratrooper was disciplined for bringing a lighter to the dorms at Camp Narashino when it was used to burn the feet of his two juniors.[17]
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 stopping 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.
Ranger qualification
1AB paratroopers receive ranger qualification at part of their training.[5] The Ranger badge is highly sought by active duty JSDF personnel.[1]
Structure
The brigade's structure is as follows:[18]
- Brigade Headquarters, in Funabashi
- Headquarters Company
- Signal Company
- 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion
- 2nd Airborne Infantry Battalion
- 3rd Airborne Infantry Battalion
- Airborne Artillery Battalion (3 x batteries with F1 120mm mortars)
- Airborne Logistic Support Battalion
- Engineer Company
- Airborne School
Weapons
Standard weapons are from the JGSDF, including:[19]
Deployment
Local
- 1st Airborne Brigade paratroopers have only been seen in action through annual new year JSDF exhibition shows in Narashino.
[https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3643292/wings-of-unity-us-international-airborne-forces-soar-in-annual-new-years-jump/]
On January 8, 2023, the 1st Airborne Brigade conducted its first parachute drop training of the year joined by paratrooper units from the US, British and Australian armies in the Narashino training area in Chiba Prefecture. A total of 300 personnel participated in the drill involving a scenario where they recaptured an island occupied by enemy forces. Members of the brigade parachuted down to the ground as part of the drill.
Overseas
- 170 paratroopers were sent to Samawah, Iraq as part of the JGSDF's commitment to the international effort.[16] [5] Training was conducted for a short time in a joint exercise with American soldiers of the Oregon Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment.[20] All of them were withdrawn following the end of the Japanese commitment in Iraq.
Notable personnel
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: The First Airborne Brigade. Herbert Holeman. 2000. 2013-06-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20121215045335/http://herbertholeman.com/para/units/japan.php. 2012-12-15.
- Web site: "Guide unit" established in GSDF to transport and escort Japanese nationals overseas in times of emergency. United States of America Embassy in Japan. 2013-06-15. 1999-10-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009084528/http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archives/dsjp/summaries/1999/October/Sm991025.htm. 2012-10-09.
- Web site: dead . Japan Ground Self-Defense Force . mod.go.jp . Central Readiness Force Organization . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124061242/http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/Englishv/crforganization/crforgindex.html . January 24, 2013 .
- Web site: What is the CRF(Central Readiness Force)? . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124061112/http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/Englishv/crfmission/crfmissionindex.html . 24 January 2013 . 12 January 2022 . Japan Ground Self-Defense Force . mod.go.jp.
- Web site: Paratrooper Focus ~ Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Joint Forces News. 2 July 2018 .
- Web site: 2019-09-26 . 2018-03-27 . ja . ja:神奈川)陸自の中央即応集団が廃止 座間駐屯地に5年 . Kanagawa) GSDF's central ready group abolished in Zama station for 5 years . https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL3V25YJL3VULOB001.html . asahi.com . 2022-07-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711191726/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASL3V25YJL3VULOB001.html . dead .
- https://archive.today/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.
- Web site: SDF profile upgraded as anniversary approaches. Nao Simoyachi. The Japan Times. 2004-06-29. 2013-06-15.
- Web site: Central Readiness Force . 2008-01-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070613142413/http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/organization.html . 2007-06-13 .
- Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120318072523/http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/AGPA/docs/115Mpad/Orient_Shield.pdf. Japanese sniper school. The Observation Post. 2006-10-19. 2013-06-15. 2012-03-18 . Staff Sergeant Russel Bassett.
- Web site: 初の女性空挺隊員誕生へ 陸自の精鋭"狭き門" 「すごくかっこいい」憧れを実現 毎日新聞.
- Web site: 女性初の空挺団員誕生 陸自精鋭、習志野で修了式 - 読んで見フォト - 産経フォト.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210116063247/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210113/k10012811961000.html?utm_int=news-new_contents_list-items_171 陸上自衛隊 パラシュート降下訓練はじめ 防衛相も視察 | 自衛隊 | NHKニュース
- Web site: GSDF crime coverup alleged. 2000-03-17. 2013-06-15. The Japan Times.
- Web site: Colonel fired in gun misuse coverup. 2000-04-17. 2013-06-15. The Japan Times.
- Web site: GSDF sergeant shoplifts to avoid Iraq mission? . 2006-02-22 . 2013-06-16 . The Japan Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514060026/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/02/22/national/gsdf-sergeant-shoplifts-to-avoid-iraq-mission/#.Ub2yL33LfK4 . 2014-05-14 . live .
- Web site: 3隊員懲戒処分 後輩男性に暴行 船橋の陸自 千葉日報オンライン.
- Web site: Biographies - Major General Kimihito Iwamura . www.mod.go.jp . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110122617/https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/1abnb/leader/index.html . 10 January 2015 . dead.
- Web site: http://www.hyperdouraku.com/event/jgsdf1st1001/index.html. ja:平成22年 習志野 第1空挺団 降下訓練始め. 2010-04-23. Japanese. Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. https://web.archive.org/web/20130815035659/http://hyperdouraku.com/event/jgsdf1st1001/index.html. 2013-08-15.
- http://www.salem-news.com/articles/october172006/japan_guard_101706.php Oregon Guard Soldiers Train Japanese Troops for Deployment to Iraq.
- News: Japanese hostage confirmed dead . British Broadcasting Corporation. 2013-06-15. 2005-05-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512230030/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4589041.stm. 2014-05-12.
- Web site: Baki's Itagaki to Draw New 1st Airborne Brigade Manga. Anime News Network. 2013-06-15. 2012-08-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20140225124156/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-15/baki-itagaki-to-draw-new-1st-airborne-brigade-manga. 2014-02-25.