1st Airborne Brigade (Japan)
| 1st Airborne Brigade | |
|---|---|
1st Airborne Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Patch
|
|
| Active | June 25, 1958 – present |
| Country |
 Japan
|
| Branch |
 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
|
| Type | Airborne Infantry |
| Role |
Special operations Air assault Direct Action Unconventional Warfare Reconnaissance |
| Size | 1,900 soldiers |
| Part of |
 Central Readiness Force
|
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Narashino, Funasbashi, Chiba |
| Nickname(s) | Narashino Airborne Brigade, 1AB |
| Motto(s) | The Matchless Elite (精鋭無比?) |
| Engagements | Iraq War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Maj. Gen. Tadao Maeda |
| Notable commanders |
Hayao Kinugasa Yoshifumi Hibako Satoshi Mizuno Yosihiko Doi Kenichi Kinomura Shizuo Sekine |
The 1st Airborne Brigade (第1空挺団 Dai-Ichi Kūtei Dan?), also known as the Narashino Airborne Brigade (習志野空挺団?), is stationed in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Narashino in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.
The Brigade serves as Japan's elite paratrooper unit meant to counter against either guerrillas or enemy special forces units. Since 1999 the Brigade has a "Guide Unit" (誘導隊?), serving as its NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operations) unit. Currently, they are attached to current homeland defense and international combat operations under the JGSDF Central Readiness Force.
The unit is being likened similarly to the WAIR, SFGp, and SBU since these units are Japan's only Special Forces units with an offensive capability. Some of Japan's other Special Forces units are assigned to counter-terrorism or defensive duties. Their presence in the JGSDF has served the organization as a morale booster.
...
Wikipedia