Special Forces Group (Japan)

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Special Operations Group (2004 – 09)
Special Forces Group (2009 – present)
特殊作戦群
JGSDF Special Forces Group Insignia.png
Special Forces Group insignia
ActiveMarch 27, 2004–present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeSpecial forces
SizeClassified, estimated 300[1]
Part ofGround Component Command
Garrison/HQNarashino Garrison, Funabashi, Chiba
Nickname(s)SFGp/Special Forces Group
(New Name)
SOG/Special Operations Group (Old Name)
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Takanori Hirata (Colonel)
Notable
commanders		Takashi Araya
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 on March 27, 2004 by the then Defense Agency to counter terrorist activities and deter guerrilla-style attacks on Japanese soil[2] and to conduct military operations against guerrillas or enemy commandos.[3][4] The unit is based in Camp Narashino in Funabashi, Chiba along with the 1st Airborne Brigade.[5]

The SFGp has been referred to as Japan's Green Berets and Delta Force,[6] due to their specialized role in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The initial members of the Special Forces Group trained with Delta Force.[7]

The civilian counterpart of the SFGp is the Special Assault Teams of the prefectural police departments under the Japanese National Police Agency.

While current manpower is classified, an estimated 300 operators are known to serve in the SFGp.[1]

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 Green Berets and Delta Force operators. 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).

The establishment of the unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organisation. The unit's structure is based on that of Green Berets and Delta Force,[6] SAS(Special Air Service), KSK(Kommando Spezialkräfte), Australian Special Forces units.[8][9] Bilingual 1st Special Forces Group personnel were on hand to assist the JGSDF in creating their Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E).[10] Takashi Araya once mentioned in an interview that he trained with Green Berets abroad for a year.[11]

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.

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.[6]

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.[12][13]

The unit changed its English name on March 26, 2008 from SOG to SFGp or the Special Forces Group.[14]

On page 14 of the January-March 2014 edition of「Special Warfare[15]」, authorized official bimonthly publication by the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and Fort Bragg, the U.S. Army Green Berets 1st SFG(A) and the JGSDF SFGp conduct a bilateral exercise "Silent Eagle," each fall at JBLM in Washington State.[16]

In 2016, the SFGp was placed on standby during the 42nd G7 summit in case their assistance is required to back up the Special Assault Team and the Anti-Firearms Squad.[17]

On page 83 of the October-December 2017 edition of「Special Warfare[18]」, authorized official bimonthly publication by the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and Fort Bragg, the strongest relationship and history between the U.S. Army Green Beret 1st SFG(A) 1st Battalion stationed in Okinawa, and JGSDF SFGp, as well as the training conducted by the former USPACOM subordinated Green Berets CRF(Crisis Response Force) and JGSDF SFGp at Joint Combined Exchange Training(JCET) in Camp Narashino and Okinawa on various missions, including direct action(DA), hostage rescue(HR), urban movement and mobility on rotary wing and vehicle platforms.[19]

On January 18, 2018, the SFGp conducted one of their few exercises before the presence of the Australian and Japanese prime ministers.[20] At least one SFGp operator was an observer at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) 2018 exercises in Florida.[21] King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Japan and was given a demonstration by SFGp operators on November 27, 2018.[22]

On February 18, 2019, unnamed SFGp operators were deployed to attend Flintlock military exercises in Africa.[23] On November 5, 2021, the SFGp has trained in Guam with the Green Berets.[10] Exercises between the 1st Special Forces Group and the SFGp are conducted yearly under the codename Silent Eagle.[24]

On June 29, 2021, then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited maneuvers performed by SFGp operators.[25]

On August, 2022, Joint counter-terrorism exercise「Exercise Dusk Samurai 2022」with the Australian Army 2nd Commando Regiment at Sydney Parramatta, Australia, was posted on the Australian Department of Defence (Australia) official website.[26]

On October 06, 2022, Posted on the JGSDF official website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter that the SFGp and the Australian Army Special Operations Command (Australia) conducted field training in Australia in August 2022.[27][28][29][30] This is the first official announcement by the JGSDF regarding SFGp's training and joint training between SFGp and special forces units of other countries (This was the sixth joint exercise with the Australian Army Special Forces since 2015[31][32]）.

Formation

JGSDF SFGp commandos standing at parade rest during a 2007 ceremony.

According to a 2017 Gendai Ismedia article, the SFGp is reported to compose of the following:[33]

Training

Potential recruits to the SFGp are drawn from Ranger-qualified JGSDF soldiers and paratroopers of the 1st Airborne Brigade.[34] The unit's passing rate is said to be at 3% due to demanding physical fitness qualifications aside from a recruit's ranger or airborne qualifications.[33]

SFGp operators are required to study English in order to be bilingual, although they are trained to learn other languages like Arabic, Chinese and Russian.[33]

When the first soldiers were recruited, there was an effort for them to have foreign training due to a lack of experience.[35] According to Takashi Araya, he had to train with the Green Berets in order to be familiarized with modern special forces concepts since those who are Ranger-trained and those who are in the SFGp are not different in terms of their training.[35] Others were given training by various private military contractors when they have free time in either the US or in the UK with their own money.[36]

The SFGp does joint exercises with the SAT.[37]

Weapons

Assault rifles

Battle Rifles

Sub-machine guns

Shotguns

Pistols

Sniper rifles

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.[47]

SFGp operator are known to wear camo uniforms when operating in urbanized areas.[48]

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.[4][34][49] SFGp officers are exempted from the rule.[50]

References

  1. ^ a b "自衛隊の部隊編成に関する質問に対する答弁書：答弁本文：参議院".
  2. ^ "Japan Sets Up Its 1st Special Ground Operations Unit". Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 2004-03-29. Archived from the original on 2008-01-13. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  3. ^ "Japan Groud Self-Defense Force/Central Readiness Force/Mission". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b 特殊作戦群 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  5. ^ "陸上自衛隊：習志野駐屯地".
  6. ^ a b c "Japan launches counter-terrorism force". The China Post. 2007-04-07. Archived from the original on 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  7. ^ "Japan Doesn't Need a Hostage Rescue Force | by James Simpson | War Is Boring | Medium". 21 February 2015.
  8. ^ StrikeAndTacticalMagazine & 2021 July issue, pp. 28–29.
  9. ^ "陸上自衛隊に特殊部隊を創設 明治神宮至誠館・荒谷卓館長インタビュー『これからの日本は「武士道」が支える』". BigLife21. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  10. ^ a b "U.S. Special Forces conduct joint training with once-controversial Japanese Special Ops". 9 August 2021.
  11. ^ "【仕事人】陸自特殊作戦群の初代群長・荒谷卓さん（４９） 信念を貫き新たな戦場へ (1/3ページ) - Msn産経ニュース". sankei.jp.msn.com. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 8 September 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ 일본 자위대 신속대응전력 대폭 증강 (PDF) (in Korean). Defense Media Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  14. ^ "特殊作戦群 Special Forces Group (SFGp)" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  15. ^ "Special Warfare". DAVIDS. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  16. ^ "Special Warfare January-March 2014 Volume27 Issue1 Special Operations in PACOM". DAVIDS. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  17. ^ "伊勢志摩サミット、街中が2万人の警官だらけの裏で、市街戦や航空機撃墜も想定されていた！".
  18. ^ "Special Warfare". DAVIDS. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  19. ^ "Special Warfare October-December 2017 Volume 30 Issue 4 Special Operations in the Pacific". DAVIDS. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  20. ^ "Japan highlights SOF capabilities | Shephard".
  21. ^ "陸上自衛隊『特殊作戦群』幹部が「SOFIC 2018」を視察か - ミリブロNews". News.militaryblog.jp. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  22. ^ "防衛省・自衛隊：アブドッラー２世ヨルダン国王による習志野演習場地区視察について（概要）". www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Japanese SOF observe "Flintlock" | Shephard".
  24. ^ "Defender Pacific 21: Special Forces Soldiers, JGSDF conduct bilateral operations in Guam | Article | The United States Army".
  25. ^ "菅首相、陸自特殊部隊を視察 加藤官房長官：時事ドットコム".
  26. ^ "Special Operations Command soldiers from the 2nd Commando Regiment conduct counter terrorism training with the Japanese Special Forces soldiers from the Japanese Special Operations Group at a Paramatta factory in Sydney". defence.gov.au. defence.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-08-19.
  27. ^ "令和4年度日豪実働訓練について" (PDF). mod.go.jp. JGSDF. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  28. ^ "令和4年度日豪実働訓練における特殊部隊の訓練実施状況". Facebook. JGSDF. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  29. ^ "令和4年度日豪実働訓練における特殊部隊の訓練実施状況". Instagram. JGSDF. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  30. ^ "The #JGSDF Special Operations Group conducted a field training exercise with the Australian Army Special Operations Command in August 2022". Twitter web app. JGSDF. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  31. ^ "陸自の特殊部隊が豪軍と共同訓練 関係強化を示す異例の公表". www3.nhk.or.jp. NHK. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  32. ^ "テロなどに対応、陸自の特殊部隊「特殊作戦群」が豪と共同訓練 行動は徹底的に秘匿、初の実績公表 狙いは…識者「中国に対する抑止力の『刃』". zakzak.co.jp. 夕刊フジ. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "追跡せよ！陸自特殊部隊が渋谷・歌舞伎町で行っている極秘訓練（伊藤 明弘） @gendai_biz".
  34. ^ a b Nao Shimoyachi (2004-03-30). "GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  35. ^ a b "特殊作戦群と武士道". 19 August 2011.
  36. ^ "【仕事人】陸自特殊作戦群の初代群長・荒谷卓さん（４９） 信念を貫き新たな戦場へ (3/3ページ) - Msn産経ニュース". sankei.jp.msn.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  37. ^ "Are Japan's counterterrorism forces really ready? | the Japan Times". www.japantimes.co.jp. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Spike's Military Affair Review". spikemilrev.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  39. ^ a b c "陸上自衛隊特殊作戦群". jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  40. ^ 小火器2016.02.12 2021.09.16 jieitaisaiyou.com (2021-09-16). "陸上自衛隊の『一部』で配備されるM4に関する｢ある事件｣とは？". Jieitaisaiyou.com. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  41. ^ a b "陸上自衛隊特殊作戦群 | 自衛隊採用ガイド". jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  42. ^ a b c d "Archived copy" (PDF). www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  43. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  44. ^ a b c "特殊作戦群 Usp". jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  45. ^ https://warp.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/3753200/www.epco.mod.go.jp/kokok/27-350/announcement20120919204553.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  46. ^ 小火器2016.05.08 2021.09.10 jieitaisaiyou.com (2021-09-10). "自衛隊に配備された小火器各種". Jieitaisaiyou.com. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  47. ^ "Japan Primer". University of Texas. 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  48. ^ 陸上自衛官服装細則（陸上自衛隊達第24-8号）別表第1。
  49. ^ Neville 2019, p. 111.
  50. ^ "陸自幹部も驚いた、ヤバすぎる「自衛隊の闇組織」の実態（石井 暁）".
Miscellaneous notes
  1. ^ Companies of the Japanese Special Forces Group are under the command of a Major.
  2. ^ Company HQ and the platoons under it are also found within the 2nd and 3rd SOG companies.
  3. ^ Commanded by a Lieutenant.

Bibliography

  • Neville, Leigh (2019). The Elite: The A–Z of Modern Special Operations Forces. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1472824295.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Special Forces Group (Japan).
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