The Asahi Shimbun reports that Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) will formally create the country’s first “marine” combat brigade since World War II on March 27.
The unit is being deployed to defend Japan’s southernmost islands, including a group of islets claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. But the Japanese newspaper says the unit is currently “marooned” because it’s still awaiting delivery of 17 tiltrotor Osprey transport planes from the US. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to begin in fiscal 2018.
Deploying the marines has also been delayed because the Japanese government is still trying to secure a base for the Ospreys – which are designed to ferry the troops to island battlefields.
The V-22 Osprey is a high-speed, tiltrotor military aircraft made by Boeing that has vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities.
Japan’s new marine brigade will be based in the GSDF’s Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Saga Airport, which sits on reclaimed land in Ariake Bay, is 60-kilometers from Sasebo, a major naval base used by both Japan and the US. Asahi says Saga Airport is a top candidate as a potential site to accommodate the Ospreys.
While GSDF troops routinely train in amphibious warfare, this is the first time since 1945 that the armed forces have mustered a specialized marine unit dedicated to island defense. However, Japan’s military is yet to create a separate marine corps or branch of naval infantry as was the case with the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Go ahead leaders prepare and prepare you are one of those who will get killed once these preparations are used to destroy the world
we want Japan to be stronger & more powerful. we Indians are with japan
Japan needs to assist the USA as a counter Balance against China and Russia! this is a good begining in selfdefence and power projection !
Banzai!
U’re wanna Tiger of Asia waking up again ..?
The former acting of Japan is makes Asian countries returning to bad situations as a W.W II ,
it’s all about trade war that started the world war 2 in the first place… now its becoming evident that China and USA are on it again…
Congratulations to Japan Self Defense Force. Show the power of the 21st Century samurai against communist China’s provocation and colonization!
Banzai nippon
Long live Japan
Today China act like Imperial Japan in the early 20th century
Japanese solders has been self defence training at war.
It’s about time that the U. S. Government removed the bottleneck from japan to help us improved the peace and order in the south pacific.
good for japan to show the world that they are still capable…like before…long live japan ===
May the Samurai spirit lives on.