Special Forces Group (Japan)
| Special Forces Group | |
|---|---|
| 特殊作戦群 | |
 Former flag of the SOG | |
| Active | March 27, 2004–present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Air assault Airborne force CBRN defense Close-quarters combat Cold-weather warfare Counter-proliferation Counter-insurgency Counter-terrorism Direct action Executive protection High-value target Hostage rescue Jungle warfare Long-range penetration Mountain warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Special reconnaissance Unconventional warfare |
| Size | Classified, estimated 300 |
| Part of | Ground Component Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Narashino Garrison, Funabashi, Chiba |
| Nickname(s) | SFGp/Special Forces Group (New Name) TOKUSENGUUN,TOKUSEN (In Japanese) SOG/Special Operations Group (Old Name) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Takanori Hirata (Colonel) |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | SFGp Pin Badge |
The Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群, Tokushusakusengun) is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's special forces unit established in March 27, 2004 by the then Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style attacks on Japanese soil[1] and to conduct military operations against guerrillas or enemy commandos.[2][3] The unit is based in Camp Narashino[3] in Funabashi, Chiba along with the 1st Airborne Brigade.
The SFGp has been referred to as Japan's Green Berets and Delta Force,[4] due to their specialized role in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Personnel from the Delta Force of the U.S. Army had been responsible for assisting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in raising the SFGp's foundations prior to its establishment.[5]
The civilian counterpart of the SFGp is the Special Assault Teams of the prefectural police departments under the Japanese National Police Agency.
History[]
In 1998, the Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit within the JGSDF that would handle tasks such as counter-terrorism with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade sent to the United States to be trained by Delta Force operators.[5][6] At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade to be the foundations for the new unit. These consisted of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).[5]
The establishment of the unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organisation.[5] The unit's structure is based on that of Delta Force and Green Berets of the United States Army.[4]
On March 27, 2004, the Defense Agency activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its counter-terrorist unit.[5]
In 2005, the SFGp had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the commander of the JGSDF's contingent in Iraq under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.[4]
On March 28, 2007, the SFGp, along with the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade, and the 101st NBC Protection Unit, became part of the newly created Central Readiness Force.[7][8]
The unit changed its English name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFGp or the Special Forces Group.[9]
On January 18, 2018, the SFGp conducted one of their few exercises before the presence of the Australian and Japanese prime ministers.[10]
Formation[]
- Commander (Led by a Colonel)
- Executive Officers (Led by a Lieutenant Colonel)
- Headquarters
- 1st Department (General Affairs)
- 2nd Department (Intelligence)
- 3rd Department (Planning)
- 4th Department (Supply)
- Headquarters Administration Unit (Led by 3 Majors)
- 1st SFGp Company[1]
- Company Headquarters[2]
- 1st Platoon (HALO)[3]
- Specialized squads (e.g. Assault, Sniper)
- 2nd Platoon (Naval warfare)[4]
- 3rd Platoon (Mountain warfare)[5]
- 4th Platoon (Urban warfare)[6]
- 2nd SFGp Company[7]
- 3rd SFGp Company[8]
- Training Unit
Training[]
Potential recruits to the SFGp are drawn from Ranger-qualified personnel of the 1st Airborne Brigade. As such, all SFGp soldiers are Airborne-qualified.[5]
For specialized training, the 1st Platoon have their free-fall training under the 1st Airborne Brigade with the 2nd Platoon under the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.[5]
The SFGp has a training facility inside the JGSDF Camp Narashino to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB tactics.
Weapons[]
Assault rifles[]
- Colt M4A1 SOPMOD Block I:[11][12] Armed with M203s and QDSS-NT4 suppressors.[13]
- Howa Type 89[12]
- HK G36[14]
- Heckler & Koch HK416[14]
- FN SCAR
Battle Rifles[]
Sub-machine guns[]
Personal defence weapons[]
Pistols[]
Sniper rifles[]
Others[]
- Type 91 MANPADS
- Type 01 Anti-Tank missile
- Howa 84RR recoilless rifle
- Various Hand grenades
Equipment[]
The SFGp has access to equipment used by the JGSDF, such as the Komatsu LAVs and Toyota Koukidoushas for transport and reconnaissance use. They also work in conjunction with the 1st Helicopter Brigade to provide mobility support, though they can be also deployed via C-130 Hercules aircraft.[15]
Unit features[]
As part of regulating and protecting the identities of the various soldiers serving in the SFGp, their faces are hidden in balaclavas and cannot be revealed except with authorization from their commanding officers.[3][16]
References[]
- ^ "Japan Sets Up Its 1st Special Ground Operations Unit". Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 2004-03-29. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "What is the CRF （Central Readiness Force）？". Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c 特殊作戦群 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Japan launches counter-terrorism force". The China Post. 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g [site=http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm "Unknown"] Check
|url=value (help). Retrieved July 27, 2020. Cite uses generic title (help)[dead link] - ^ https://medium.com/war-is-boring/japan-doesn-t-need-a-hostage-rescue-force-fe2f78649d68
- ^ [site=https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/organization.html "Unknown"] Check
|url=value (help). Retrieved July 27, 2020. Cite uses generic title (help)[dead link] - ^ 일본 자위대 신속대응전력 대폭 증강 (PDF) (in Korean). Defense Media Agency. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ^ "特殊作戦群 Special Forces Group (SFGp)" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
- ^ https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/special-operations/japan-highlights-sof-capabilities/
- ^ 全文掲載：飯柴大尉の声明文. Retrieved on January 12, 2009. (in Japanese)
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g 陸上自衛隊唯一の特殊部隊 特殊作戦群の解説 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c 自衛隊の採用する銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d 14hk093 (PDF) (in Japanese) Retrieved 2015-05-26
- ^ "Japan Primer". University of Texas. 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2007-10-06. Cite journal requires
|journal=(help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Nao Shimoyachi (2004-03-30). "GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- Miscellaneous notes
- ^ Companies of the Japanese Special Forces Group are under the command of a Major.
- ^ Company HQ and the platoons under it are also found within the 2nd and 3rd SOG companies.
- ^ Commanded by a Lieutenant.
External links[]
- Official SFGp CRF Page. (in Japanese)
- Special forces of Japan
- Airborne units and formations
- Military units and formations established in 2004
- Counter-terrorist organizations