Special Operations Group (Japan)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Japanese Special Operations Group


caption= Official Japanese Special Operations Group Flag
country= flagicon|Japan Japan
allegiance=
type=Special Forces
branch=Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
dates= March 27, 2004 - Present
specialization=Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare, Domestic and International Counter-Terrorism
command_structure= Under control of the Central Readiness Force
size= 300 soldiers
current_commander=
garrison= Narashino, Chiba
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= SOG TSG (In Japanese) Special Forces Group/SFGp (Alternate Name)
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Iraqi occupation
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
identification_symbol=SOG Pin Badge
identification_symbol_label=The nihongo|Japanese Special Operations Group|特殊作戦群|Tokushu Sakusen Gun 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 Japanese soil [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-20864482_ITM Japan Sets Up Its 1st Special Ground Operations Unit.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] and to conduct military operations, like the 1st Airborne Brigade, against guerrillas or enemy Special forces units [ [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/Englishv/crfmission/crfmissionindex.html What is the CRF（Central Readiness Force）？] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/crforganization/sfg/newpage1.html 特殊作戦群.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008. ja icon] . The unit is based in Narashino, Chiba [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/crforganization/sfg/newpage1.html 特殊作戦群.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008. ja icon] with the 1st Airborne Brigade. They are also known as the Special Forces Group.

The SOG has been referred to as Japan's Delta Force, [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/international/200741/106027.htm Japan launches counter-terrorism force.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] 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 SOG's foundations prior to its establishment [http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] .

The civilian counterpart of the SOG is the Japanese National Police Agency's Special Assault Team.

History

In 1998, the Japanese Defense Agency had proposed the formation of a unit in 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. [http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] 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).http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.]

The establishment of unit's framework had been completed in 2003, after 3 years of training and organization.http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.]

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 unithttp://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] .

In 2005, the SOG had deployed four of its operators to serve as bodyguards for the Japanese commander of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's contingent in Iraq under the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/international/200741/106027.htm Japan launches counter-terrorism force.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] .

On March 28, 2007, the SOG had merged with the 1st Airborne Brigade, the 1st Helicopter Brigade and the 101st NBC Protection Unit to create the Central Readiness Force [ [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/organization.html Central Readiness Force Organization Page.] Retrieved on April 1, 2007. ja icon] .

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 SOG CompanyCompanies of the Japanese Special Operations Group are under the command of a Major.]
** Company HeadquartersCompany HQ and the platoons under it are also found withe the 2nd and 3rd SOG companies.]
** 1st Platoon (Freefall)Commanded by a Lieutenant]
*** Specialized squads (e.g. Assault, Sniper)
** 2nd Platoon (Maritime)Commanded by a Lieutenant]
** 3rd Platoon (Mountain)Commanded by a Lieutenant]
** 4th Platoon (Urban Warfare)Commanded by a Lieutenant]
* 2nd SOG CompanyCompanies of the Japanese Special Operations Group are under the command of a Major.]
* 3rd SOG CompanyCompanies of the Japanese Special Operations Group are under the command of a Major.]
* Training Unit

Training

All potential recruits to the SOG have mostly been drawn out from the 1st Airborne Brigade with qualification from the Rangershttp://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] . As such, all SOG soldiers are airborne qualified [http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.] .

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. [http://web.archive.org/web/20051201110156/http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sbu/DATABASE-JAPAN.htm Unofficial Japanese Special Forces Page.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008.]

The SOG has a training facility inside the JGSDF Narashino, Chiba camp to conduct training on various techniques, especially on CQB tactics.

Weapons

Assault Rifles

* Colt M4A1 SOPMOD Block I
* Howa Type 89
* Colt M16A1

ubmachine Guns

* HK MP5SD6

hotguns

* Remington 870

Pistols

* HK USP 9

niper Rifles

* Barrett M95
* Remington M24

Others

* Type 91 MANPAD
* Type 01 Anti-Tank missile
* Sumitomo FT-84 recoiless rifle
* Various Hand grenades

Equipment

The SOG 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 aircraftcite paper
title = Japan Primer
publisher = University of Texas
date = 2007
url = http://www1.apan-info.net/Portals/45/VIC_Products/2007/04/070403-P-Japan-web.doc
accessdate = 2007-10-06] .

Unit Features

As part of regulating and protecting the identities of the various soldiers serving in the SOG, their faces are hidden in balaclavas and cannot be revealed except with authorization from their commanding officers. [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/crforganization/sfg/newpage1.html 特殊作戦群.] Retrieved on January 8, 2008. ja icon] [ [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040330a4.html GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad.] Retrieved on April 25, 2008.] It is said that personnel cannot enter certain areas of their Narashino camp, such as the SOG barracks, unless they have the proper identification with them.

References

External links

* [http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/pa/crforganization/sfg/newpage1.html Official SOG Page.] ja icon