15th Brigade (Japan)

15th Brigade
15th Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia
Active26 March 2010 – present
Country Japan
Branch Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
TypeBrigade
Size2500 soldiers
Part of Western Army
Garrison/HQNaha
Commanders
Current
commander		Maj. Gen. Hideki Agario

The 15th Brigade (第15旅団) is one of eight active brigades of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The brigade is subordinated to the Western Army[1] and is headquartered in Naha, Okinawa.[2] Its responsibility is the defense of Okinawa Prefecture.

2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster relief, the Northeast 15th Brigade carries out a dispatch

History

The 15th Brigade was raised to replace the 1st Combined Brigade on March 26, 2010.[3][2]

In September 2025 it was reported that it is planned for the brigade to be nominally upgraded into a division in 2026.[4]

Organization

  • 15th Brigade, in Naha
    • 15th Brigade HQ, in Naha
    • 51st Infantry Regiment note 1, in Naha, with 1 × headquarters, 3 × infantry, and 1 × 120 mm mortar company
    • 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, in Yaese, with three Type 3 Chū-SAM, and one Type 11 Surface-to-air missile battery
    • Miyako Security Unit, in Miyakojima, with 1 × headquarters, 1 × infantry, and 1 × logistic support company
    • Yaeyama Security Unit, in Ishigaki, with 1 × headquarters, 1 × infantry, and 1 × logistic support company
    • 15th Reconnaissance Company, in Naha, with Type 87 armored reconnaissance vehicles
    • 15th Intelligence Company, in Naha, with ScanEagle
    • 15th Engineer Company (Combat), in Naha
    • 15th Signal Company, in Naha
    • 15th Aviation Squadron, at Naha Air Base, flying UH-60JA and CH-47J/JA helicopters
    • 15th NBC-defense Company, in Naha
    • 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, in Naha
    • 15th Logistic Support Battalion, in Naha

note 1: Infantry Regiments have only battalion strength.

References

  1. ↑ "Japan Self Defense Force, Marines Train for Disasters - Japan | ReliefWeb".
  2. 1 2 "Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade [ARDB] / 15th Brigade".
  3. ↑ "FOCUS: Once vilified, GSDF are now "indispensable deterrent" in Okinawa".
  4. ↑ "Japanese MoD to establish new division and special operations brigade - European Security & Defence". 24 September 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.

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