Special Security Team
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| Special Security Team | |
|---|---|
| Active | (Kansai Airport Marine Guard) 1985 - 1996 (Special Security Team) 1996 - Present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch | Japan Coast Guard |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement |
| Size | 60 operators |
| Part of | Directly under control of the Japan Coast Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Osaka Special Security Station, Kobe, Japan |
| Nickname | SST |
| Engagements | Various anti-crime operations, Anti-North Korean spy ship skirmishes (1999-early 2002) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Coast Guard Captain (Name Unknown) |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Small Japan flag on patch, Japan Coast Guard written in kanji and English on rear of tactical vest |
The 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.
Contents |
[edit] 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.[1] and the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade[2].
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[1] in 1996.[3]
The SST has seen action in engaging suspected North Korean infiltration ships intruding Japanese waters in Japanese and foreign news from 1999-2002.[4][5][2]
SST members have also participated in several Proliferation Security Initiative exercises recently in Australia.[6]
Today, the Special Security Team is located in the Osaka Special Security Station of the 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters at Kobe.[1]
[edit] 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.)
[edit] Equipment
[edit] Assault Rifles
[edit] Submachine Guns
[edit] Handguns
- S&W M19 (First sidearm before switching to Sig Sauer P228)
- Sig Sauer P228
[edit] Shotguns
[edit] Support Items
- Pro-Tec helmet
- PASGT helmet
- Assault Goggles
- Flashbang
- Night Vision Goggles
- Dräger diving equipment
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Komina Takao, 海上保安庁特殊部隊SST, 2005. ISBN 4890631933
- ^ a b c Unofficial SST Information Page. Retrieved on June 18, 2007.
- ^ a b New Fighting Power! Retrieved on April 25, 2008.
- ^ GSDF inaugurates undercover antiterrorist squad. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.
- ^ Japan Coast Guard report. Retrieved on June 18, 2007 (Japanese)
- ^ Japan Coast Guard North Korean infiltration craft report. Retrieved on June 18, 2007 (Japanese)
- ^ Japanese TV Documentary on Special Security Team.
[edit] External links
- Unofficial SST information page (Japanese)
