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The Western Army (西部方面隊) is one of five active Armies of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. It is headquartered in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its responsibility is the defense of Kyūshū and Okinawa.
| Western Army | |
|---|---|
 Western Army Distinctive Unit Insignia | |
| Active | 1 December 1955 – present |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Field army |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Kyūshū |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Gen. Ryoji Takemoto |
Organization edit
Western Army, in Kumamoto
4th Division, in Kasuga, responsible for the defense of the Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Ōita and Saga prefectures
8th Division, in Kumamoto, responsible for the defense of the Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Miyazaki prefectures
15th Brigade, in Naha, responsible for the defense of Okinawa Prefecture- 2nd Artillery Brigade, in Yufu
- 5th Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Kumamoto (Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile)
- 7th Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiment, in Uruma (Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile)
- 301st Special Artillery Battery, in Yufu (M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System)
- Western Army Field Artillery Regiment, in Kumamoto
- 1st Artillery Battalion, in Kumamoto, with two batteries of Type 19 155 mm Wheeled Self-propelled Howitzers
- 2nd Artillery Battalion, in Kusu, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
- 3rd Artillery Battalion, in Ebino, with two batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
- 4th Artillery Battalion, in Kurume, with three batteries of FH-70 155mm towed howitzers
- 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, in Iizuka
- 3rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, in Iizuka (Type 03 Chū-SAM)
- 7th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, in Miyakojima (Type 03 Chū-SAM)
- 102nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, in Ōmura (Type 03 Chū-SAM)
- 304th Observation Battery, in Iizuka
- 5th Engineer Brigade, in Ogōri
- 2nd Engineer Group (Construction), in Iizuka
- 9th Engineer Group (Construction), in Ogōri
- 103rd Equipment Company, in Ogōri
- 303rd Amphibious Company, in Ogōri
- 305th Vehicle Company, in Ogōri
- Western Army Tank Battalion, in Kusu(with two Type 10 Main Battle Tank squadron)
- Western Army Combined (Training) Brigade, in Kurume
- Western Army Aviation Group, in Mashiki
- 1st Combat Helicopter Battalion, in Yoshinogari (Boeing AH-64 Apache)
- Western Army Helicopter Battalion, in Mashiki
- Western Army Meteorological Company, in Mashiki
- Logistic Support Battalion, in Mashiki
- Western Army Logistic Support Troops, in Yoshinogari
- Western Army Signal Group, in Kumamoto
- Western Army Medical Service, in Kumamoto
- Western Army Military Intelligence, in Kumamoto
- Kyūshū Logistic Depot, in Yoshinogari
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History edit
In August 2010, a proposal was being considered by the then Japanese government to convert a conventional [battalion strength] regiment from either the 8th Division or the 15th Brigade into a "US-style" amphibious unit,[1] effectively giving the Western Army a battalion of marines for dealing with contingencies. This proposal seems to have been shelved or fallen into limbo in the interim.
As of June 2013, as part of an ongoing expansion of defense capabilities in the Western Army's area of responsibility, the MOD were considering creating a special "isle assault unit", whose role would be the recapture of remote Japanese islands that had been invaded by a foreign power.[2] It would share this mission with the pre-existing Western Army Infantry Regiment, itself currently undergoing an expansion in manpower and equipment (e.g. increase in authorised strength to 680 effectives, & adding (initially 4) AAVP-7A1's to its TOE). Equipment for the new unit on the other hand, may ultimately include the Maneuver Combat Vehicle and the Light-weight Combat Vehicle (LCV) System, both of which were designed in part with the remote island defence mission in mind.
If stood up, the new unit together with the WAIR would form a major part of the Western Army's first response to a hostile incursion in the more remote parts of its AOR. In early September 2015, plans for the creation of the new unit, now referred to as an 'amphibious mobile unit'[3] were confirmed. The new unit is to be stood up by the end of FY2017, with a training corps to be set up in the interim (by the end of FY2016).
In 2013 troops from the Western Army Infantry Regiment were deployed from the JS Hyuga and JS Shimokita for an amphibious warfare exercise in California.[4]
On 29 March 2021, a JGSDF electronic warfare unit was raised at Camp Kengun.[5]
On 29 March 2021, Western Army Artillery was reorganaized to 2nd Artillery Brigate.
Other Developments edit
Under current plans, the Western Army will have priority on deliveries of the new Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile upgrade (six sets on order to date [July 2013]). The Type 12 will be initially deployed with the 5th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment, but ultimately the 6th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment (deactivated 21 April 2011[6]) may be reactivated to operate the new systems.
Note: GSDF Anti-Ship Missile Regiments are alternatively known as Surface-to-Surface Missile Regiments.
References edit
- ^ Japanese "Marines" sigma1.wordpress.com
- ^ Special SDF isle assault unit in works Japan Times 13 June 2013
- ^ "Record defense budget request shifts focus to islands closest to China". The Asahi Shimbun. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
- ^ Spitzer, Kirk (25 April 2013). "Japanese Invasion Fleet Heads For California – Then Where?". Battlefield. Time. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Japan Ground Self-Defense Force unveils new electronic warfare unit in Kumamoto". Mainichi Daily News. 30 March 2021.
- ^ Japanese Wikipedia entry on 6th Anti-Ship Missile Regiment, accessed 9 July 2013
External links edit
- Western Army home page ( in Japanese)