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Special Operations Group (Japan)
Encyclopedia
The is the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
's counter-terrorist
unit established by the former Japanese Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style
attacks on Japan
ese soil and to conduct military operations, like the 1st Airborne Brigade
, against guerrillas
or enemy commandos
. The unit is based in Narashino, Chiba
garrison in Funabashi, Chiba
with the 1st Airborne Brigade
. The unit was formerly known as the Special Operations Group.
The SFGp has been referred to as Japan
's Delta Force
, due to their specialized role in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
. Delta Force
personnel had been responsible for assisting the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
in raising the SFGp's foundations prior to its establishment.
The civilian counterpart of the SOG is the Japanese National Police Agency
's Special Assault Team
.
with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade
sent to the United States
to be trained by Delta Force
operators. At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade as a means of creating the unit's foundations. These consist of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).
The establishment of unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organization.
On March 27, 2004, the Japanese Defense Agency had activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its Counter-terrorist unit
.
In 2005, the SOG had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the Japan
ese commander of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
's contingent in Iraq
under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.
On March 28, 2007, the SOG merged with the 1st Airborne Brigade
, the 1st Helicopter Brigade
and the 101st NBC Protection Unit to create the Central Readiness Force
.
The unit changed its name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFG or the Special Forces Group.
. As such, all SFG soldiers are airborne qualified.
For specialized training, the 1st Platoon have their freefall training under the 1st Airborne Brigade
with the 2nd Platoon under the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces
.
The SFG has a training facility inside the JGSDF Narashino, Chiba
camp to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB
tactics.
s and Toyota Koukidousha
s 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.
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
's counter-terrorist
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
unit established by the former Japanese Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
attacks on Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese soil and to conduct military operations, like the 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
, against guerrillas
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
or enemy commandos
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
. The unit is based in Narashino, Chiba
Narashino, Chiba
is a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,809 and a population density of 7850 persons per km². The total area was 20.99 km².-Geography:...
garrison in Funabashi, Chiba
Funabashi, Chiba
is a city located in northwestern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 609,157 and a population density of 7110 persons per km². The total area was 85.64 km². It is the 7th most populous city in Greater Tokyo....
with the 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
. The unit was formerly known as the Special Operations Group.
The SFGp has been referred to as Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
, due to their specialized role in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
. Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
personnel had been responsible for assisting the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
in raising the SFGp's foundations prior to its establishment.
The civilian counterpart of the SOG is the Japanese National Police Agency
National Police Agency (Japan)
The is an agency administered by the National Public Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office in the cabinet of Japan, and is the central coordinating agency of the Japanese police system....
's Special Assault Team
Special Assault Team
The is a paramilitary counter terrorism unit under the Japanese National Police Agency. The SAT is mandated, along with the Anti-Firearms Squad and the Counter-NBC Terrorism Squad, for counterterrorism missions and incidents involving firearms or criminals which require an armed response beyond...
.
History
In 1998, the Japanese Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit in the JGSDF that would handle tasks such as Counter-terrorismCounter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
with a selected group of JGSDF soldiers from the 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
sent to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to be trained by Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
operators. At the same time, two platoons were created from the brigade as a means of creating the unit's foundations. These consist of the G Platoon (Formation Unit) and the S Platoon (Research Unit).
The establishment of unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organization.
On March 27, 2004, the Japanese Defense Agency had activated the unit as the Special Operations Group with the mandate under the JGSDF as its Counter-terrorist unit
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
.
In 2005, the SOG had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese commander of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
's contingent in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group.
On March 28, 2007, the SOG merged with the 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
, the 1st Helicopter Brigade
1st Helicopter Brigade
The is based at the JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture. Formerly an independent brigade, it was attached on the Central Readiness Force on March 28, 2007...
and the 101st NBC Protection Unit to create the Central Readiness Force
Central Readiness Force
The was recently established on March 28, 2007, following the upgrading of the Japanese Defense Ministry from the former Japanese Defense Agency. Based in Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces Camp Asaka in Nerima, Tokyo, the unit has the capability of responding to any situation in either Japanese...
.
The unit changed its name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFG or the Special Forces Group.
Formation
- Commander (Led by a ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
) - Executive Officers (Led by a Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
) - Headquarters
- 1st Department (General Affairs)
- 2nd Department (Intelligence)
- 3rd Department (Planning)
- 4th Department (Supply)
- Headquarters Administration Unit (Led by 3 MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
s) - 1st SFGp Company
- Company Headquarters
- 1st Platoon (Freefall)
- Specialized squads (e.g. Assault, Sniper)
- 2nd Platoon (Maritime)
- 3rd Platoon (Mountain)
- 4th Platoon (Urban Warfare)
- 2nd SFGp Company
- 3rd SFGp Company
- Training Unit
Training
Potential recruits to the SFG are drawn from Ranger-qualified personnel from the 1st Airborne Brigade1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
. As such, all SFG soldiers are airborne qualified.
For specialized training, the 1st Platoon have their freefall training under the 1st Airborne Brigade
1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
The , also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade , is stationed in the Narashino Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Base in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. It is part of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force...
with the 2nd Platoon under the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
.
The SFG has a training facility inside the JGSDF Narashino, Chiba
Narashino, Chiba
is a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,809 and a population density of 7850 persons per km². The total area was 20.99 km².-Geography:...
camp to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB
Close quarters battle
Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
tactics.
Others
- Type 91 MANPADType 91 Surface-To-Air missileis a Japanese man-portable surface-to-air missile. Its appearance is similar to the US-made FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missile.In the ranks of the JSDF, the Type 91 is known as Hand Arrow.-History:...
- Type 01 Anti-Tank missileType 01 LMATThe is a Japanese man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile. Development began in 1993 at Kawasaki Heavy Industries and was accepted into service in 2001. During development, the missile was designated with the codename XATM-5...
- Howa 84RR recoilless rifleCarl Gustav recoilless rifleThe Carl Gustav is the common name for the 84 mm man-portable reusable multi-role recoilless rifle produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics in Sweden...
- Various Hand grenadeHand grenadeA hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
s
Equipment
The SFGp has access to equipment used by the JGSDF, such as the Komatsu LAVKomatsu LAV
The , first produced in 2002, is used exclusively by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, and has seen use in the Iraq War. It is built by Komatsu Ltd...
s and Toyota Koukidousha
Toyota Mega Cruiser
The Toyota Mega Cruiser is a large, heavy-duty sport utility vehicle introduced by Toyota in 1995. The largest SUV ever built by Toyota, it resembled the Hummer H1, and like the Hummer, was designed primarily for military use with the Mega Cruiser seeing duty as infantry transports equipped with...
s for transport and reconnaissance use. They also work in conjunction with the 1st Helicopter Brigade
1st Helicopter Brigade
The is based at the JGSDF Camp Kisarazu in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture. Formerly an independent brigade, it was attached on the Central Readiness Force on March 28, 2007...
to provide mobility support, though they can be also deployed via C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
aircraft.