In light of tensions over the Senkaku Islands and the decision for putting the Chinese Coast Guard under military control,[7][8] Japan started the process of creating an elite marine unit. This brigade was designed to conduct amphibious operations and to recover any Japanese islands taken by an adversary.[9][10]
In 2006, Japan devised a plan to respond to this threat as outlined in the Defense Programs and Budget of Japan. Thus Japan prepared an amphibious force with the necessary know-how, acquired amphibious and other vehicles for such warfare. Prior to this, training was conducted with the U.S. Marine Corps such as "Iron Fist" and the integrated exercise "Dawn Blitz" in which the JSDF participated.[11]
In the Rim of the Pacific Exercise of 2014, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force participated for the first time with amphibious warfare training between the U.S. Marine Corps and the GSDF for multilateral exercises. In Japan, joint exercises are also conducted by inviting the U.S. Marine Corps at JGSDF Camp Soumagahara (Gunma Prefecture) and training with the dispatch of GSDF members to the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa Prefecture.[12]
In 2016, 300 WAIR soldiers were sent to Camp Pendleton for marine training.[13] They were also trained to prepare for the ARDB's establishment.[13]
On March 27, 2018, groundwork for the creation of the ARDB was completed.[14]
On April 7, 2018, Japan activated its first marine unit since World War II.[15] The marines of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)'s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, gathered at a ceremony activating the brigade at JGSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo.[16] The Brigade is trained to counter invaders from occupying Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea that Tokyo considers vulnerable to attack.[15]
150 ARDB soldiers were deployed for the first time in an overseas training exercise with American and Filipino marines in Operation Kamandag in October 2018.[17] This was the first time that Japanese armored vehicles were on foreign soil since WW2.[18] The marine unit also dispatched 300 soldiers to participate in Exercise Talisman Saber in July 2019, training in amphibious landings at Queensland, Australia along with Australian soldiers and American and British marines.[19][20] The ARDB suffered its first casualty when a 38-year old JGSDF soldier, Suguru Maehara, with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, was killed in a vehicular accident during joint exercises with US and Filipino troops on 7 October 2018. The vehicle he was riding in collided with another vehicle in Subic Bay.[21]
On March 10, 2021, 55 recruits passed the training course for the ARDB, including two women.[22] The two women, Sergeants First Class Azusa Unno and Misaki Hirata, had participated in the unit's 16th training session.[23]
In March 2024, the 3rd Regiment was formally activated at Camp Takematsu in Nagasaki.[24]Minister of DefenseMinoru Kihara presented the regimental flag to commanding officer, Col. Takada.[24] These "regiments" are battalion size units.
Future
Inter-operability will be a key component of ARDB operations with the JGSDF planning to establish a significant aviation capability at Saga Airport, sixty kilometers from the ARDB's base at Camp Ainoura. The aviation element is to be based in Kyushu starting in 2025 and is to consist of 17 V-22 aircraft and about 50 Black Hawk and Apache Longbow helicopters.[25]
Organization
The Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade activation ceremony
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