Special Security Team

The is a police tactical unit of the Japan Coast Guard, based at the . The acronym of its Kanji name has already been used by other unitsTemplate:Refn, the abbreviation "SST" is used for this team.Template:SfnpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

The 1997 Maritime Safety Agency white paper stated that the SST's mission is to deal with security incidents in maritime waters, including boarding ships and anti-terrorist operations.

Background

In 1985, the Maritime Safety Agency established the Template:Sfnp to protect the maritime side of the Kansai International Airport cooperating with the land-side Riot Police Unit of the Osaka Prefectural Police. At the beginning of the establishment there were only 8 members. But due to the airport construction, the unit's manpower was increased to have 24 operators.Template:Sfnp

In 1990, due to the plutonium transport mission, the number of members was increased to 37 and the equipment was updated. A detachment corp for the escort mission was organized and called , but after the mission ended it joined again with Kaikei-tai. In 1996, it was renamed to its current unit name.Template:Sfnp

Organization

File:JCG SST.jpg

SST operator

Structure

Although the structure is not disclosed, it is said that under command of the team leader, seven sections consisting of eight operators are organized. Specialists such as EOD and EMT are assigned for each sections.Template:Sfnp

SST is based at the , adjacent to the Kansai International Airport, and able to be deployed nationwide by Saab 340B and Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma of the Japan Coast Guard.Template:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

Recruitment and training

Members at the time of the establishment of Kaikei-tai were mainly scouted from Tokkei-tai.Template:Sfnp After establishing the structure as SST, it is recruiting personnel from the entire Japan Coast Guard.Template:Sfnp

Because it was the first counter-terrorism unit for MSA, Kaikei-tai faced considerable difficulties. However basic close quarters combat and marksman techniques were acquired in the GSDF Ranger Course at Fuji School, maritime counter-terrorism operations was an unknown field even for Rangers, so the MSA officers had no choice but to conduct trial and error by themselves about how to apply those techniques in maritime operations.Template:Sfnp In 1991, Kaikei-tai got an opportunity to invite combat advisers from the United States Navy SEALs under the financial support of the Sasakawa Foundation and with their instructions, its techniques and tactics were improved to international standards.Template:Sfnp

Equipment

At the beginning, the Kaikei-tai used Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolvers as its main sidearm, equipped with 4-inch barrels. They were later seen using the Smith & Wesson Model 5906.Template:Sfnp In 1987, Howa Type 64 designated marksman rifles and Howa M1500 sniper rifles were issued to the Kaikei-tai.Template:Sfnp

In 1988, Heckler & Koch MP5A5/SD6 submachine guns were adopted.Template:Sfnp American advisers, while admiring the shooting skills of the MSA officers, pointed out that these revolvers were fundamentally lacking in firepower. The SIG Sauer P228 was adopted by 1992 with the Howa Type 89 assault rifle introduced into service.Template:Sfnp The SST has access to anti-materiel rifles manufactured by McMillan Firearms.Template:Sfnp

Operational history

In 1989, Kaikei-tai 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.Template:Sfnp

In 1992, the Keijou-tai was deployed on board 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.Template:Sfnp

In 1999, patrol vessel Mizuho was dispatched to East Timor for non-combatant evacuation operation, and at this time, there is information that two sections of SST were on board to ensure the security of port facilities.Template:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp

In 2000, the SST was deployed after crew members in a Singapore-flagged cargo ship in the East China Sea rioted against their senior officers.

In 2002, the SST worked with the Korea Coast Guard's Sea Special Attack Team as part of securing the venues in the FIFA 2002 games.Template:Sfnp

The SST has participated in several Proliferation Security Initiative exercises in Australia under "Exercise Pacific Protector" since September 2003.

The SST was stationed on the Yūshin Maru No. 2 after Sea Shepherd protesters in 2008 confronted crewmembers of the Nisshin Maru.

From the 2010s, SST operators were deployed to participate in Japanese contingents in various anti-piracy missions near Somali waters.

See also

• Special Rescue Team
• Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) - counterpart of the United States Coast Guard.