The Special Security Team (?????, Tokushu-keibi-tai) is a paramilitary counter terrorism 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.
The SST is currently based at the Osaka Special Security Station of the 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters at Kobe.
Video Special Security Team
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 and the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade.
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 in 1996.
The SST has seen action in engaging suspected North Korean infiltration ships intruding Japanese waters in Japanese and foreign news from 1999-2002.
An SST has participated in several Proliferation Security Initiative exercises recently in Australia.
The SST was also responsible for apprehending Sea Shepherd protesters in 2008 after they were confronted by crewmembers of the Nisshin Maru.
Maps Special Security Team
Organisation
The following ranks are observed from within the SST:
- 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
- Howa Type 89
Submachine Guns
- Minebea PM-9
- Heckler & Koch MP5
Handguns
- S&W M19
- SIG Sauer P226
- SIG Sauer P228
Shotguns
- Remington 870
Support Items
- Pro-Tec helmet
- PASGT helmet
- Assault Goggles
- Flashbang
- Night Vision Goggles
- Dräger diving equipment
See also
- Special Rescue Team
- Tokubetsu-keibi-tai (Japan Coast Guard) - special reaction teams of each Regional Coast Guard Headquarters.
- Maritime Safety and Security Team - counterpart of the United States Coast Guard.
References
- Komina Takao, ?????????SST, 2005. ISBN 4-89063-193-3
Notes
External links
- Unofficial SST information page (in Japanese)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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