Special Security Team

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Special Security Team


caption=
country= flagicon|Japan Japan
type= Special Forces
branch= Japan Coast Guard
dates= (Kansai Airport Marine Guard) 1985 - 1996
(Special Security Team) 1996 - Present
specialization= Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement
command_structure= Directly under control of the Japan Coast Guard
size= 60 operators
current_commander= Coast Guard Captain (Name Unknown)
garrison= Osaka Special Security Station, Kobe, Japan
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= "SST"
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Various anti-crime operations, Anti-North Korean spy ship skirmishes (1999-early 2002)
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
identification_symbol=Small Japan flag on patch, Japan Coast Guard written in kanji and English on rear of tactical vest
identification_symbol_label=The nihongo|Special Security Team|特殊警備隊|Tokushu Keibitai is the official counter-terrorist unit of the Japanese Coast Guard. Formerly known as the Kansai International Airport Marine Guard, it was renamed after a period of reorganization.

It is tasked with the rapid response to domestic terrorist and hijacking incidents against any ships in Japanese waters.

History

The origins of the SST is tracked back to the former Kansai International Airport Marine Guard in 1985. The former Marine Guard was formerly trained by US Navy SEALs. [http://hanran.tripod.com/terro/c-sst.html Unofficial SST Information Page.] Retrieved on June 18, 2007.] and the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade [http://amstd.spb.ru/Library/samuels.pdf New Fighting Power!] Retrieved on April 25, 2008.] .

In 1989, KAMG operatives were involved in storming a Panama-registered vessel after receiving requests via radio for assistance in the East China Sea near Okinawan waters after British officers were attacked by Filipino crewmembers during a riot. All of the arrested crew members were then taken into custody.

In 1992, the KAMG was deployed to guard ships carrying nuclear waste from France all the way to Japan, protecting them from any sort of staged attacks from any radical anti-nuclear activist groups.

After a period of reorganization, the KAMG changed its name to the Special Security Team [http://hanran.tripod.com/terro/c-sst.html Unofficial SST Information Page.] Retrieved on June 18, 2007.] in 1996. [ [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040330a4.html GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad.] Retrieved on April 25, 2008.]

The SST has seen action in engaging suspected North Korean infiltration ships intruding Japanese waters in Japanese and foreign news from 1999-2002. [ [http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/09kanku/topics/linkhusinsen/linkfusinsen.html Japan Coast Guard report.] Retrieved on June 18, 2007 ja icon] [ [http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/books/report2003/special01/01_01.html Japan Coast Guard North Korean infiltration craft report.] Retrieved on June 18, 2007 ja icon] [http://amstd.spb.ru/Library/samuels.pdf New Fighting Power!] Retrieved on April 25, 2008.]

SST members have also participated in several Proliferation Security Initiative exercises recently in Australia. [citeweb|url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHP3Qerw8lc|title= Japanese TV Documentary on Special Security Team]

Today, the Special Security Team is located in the Osaka Special Security Station of the 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters at Kobe. [http://hanran.tripod.com/terro/c-sst.html Unofficial SST Information Page.] Retrieved on June 18, 2007.]

Organisation

* Chief of Osaka Special Security Station (Rank - Coast Guard Captain)
* Company leader (Rank - Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander）
* 1st Special Security Team (8 Persons. Rank of Leader - Coast Guard Lieutenant)
* 2nd - 7th Special Security Team (Organization similar to the 1st Special Security Team.)

Equipment

Assault Rifles

* M4 Carbine
* M16 rifle
* Howa Type 89

ubmachine Guns

*Heckler & Koch MP5

Handguns

*S&W M19 (First sidearm before switching to Sig Sauer P228)
*Sig Sauer P228

hotguns

*Remington 870

upport Items

*Pro-Tec helmet
*PASGT helmet
*Assault Goggles
*Flashbang
*Night Vision Goggles
*Dräger diving equipment

See also

*Special Assault Team

References

*Komina Takao, "海上保安庁特殊部隊SST", 2005. ISBN 4890631933

External links

* [http://hanran.tripod.com/terro/c-sst.html Unofficial SST information page] ja icon