Showing what they can do

all these smart comments- japan has a world class military- top 6 in the world for sure--

one RPG should take down the helicopter ( these men are just collateral damage )

Stay on target!

If these guys fell under heavy fire at the wrong moment they might be in trouble, though I realize they are dropped down like this at pretty high speed.

We really don't need to know what the Japanese SDF can do.

... why not?

Hey guys, how's it hanging?

But seriously, the GSDF personnel that I have met have all been extremely well-trained, educated, and polite.

Like a mother cat carrying her kittens!

You do not fly over enemy territory shooting the bad guys like this

Rambo would beg to differ... : )

But thanks for the clarification.

DaveAllTogetherAug. 21, 2013 - 08:58AM JST This is Special Purpose Insertion/Extraction. It is not meant to be used as a way to fight. This is used to get people in to and out of places a helicopter cannot land.

I find it interesting that they decided to show this technique since it is also used expensively by search and rescue teams to reach people in inaccessible locations, for example the sides of mountains or down ravines. At least the current militaristic trend isn't undermining the training the SDF are receiving for what they spend most of their time doing, namely disaster cleanup and search and rescue.

They show this off every year, they would rather keep their equipment safe from close range fire and landing than keep the men alive

Bertie Wooster

We really don't need to know what the Japanese SDF can do.

Uh, seems more relevant on JAPAN Today than, say, what the US military can do. Ironic though how you can't seem to get enough reporting on the latter here...

Wouldn't want to be under enemy fire in this situation.

Big sky, little bullet.

Hope they didn't hurt themsleves being strung together like that in mid air. They should leave it to the Circus guys.

These military shows are really interesting actually and i'm not particularly interested in the armed forces. I remember going to The Royal Tournament in London when I was a little kid and was totally gobsmacked by it.

They aren't "doing" anything. Just hanging there.

I was invited to this annual event in 2005. I went to be polite, basically, but enjoyed it thoroughly (inspite of pacifist self). Nothing like some cracking explosions to beat the summer heat. Like fireworks and a daredevil show all at once.

Thanks Dave for the clarification. Are there any other advantages using this maneuver?

its used to extract or insert reconnaissance teams when a helicopter landing is not possible.

This is Special Purpose Insertion/Extraction. It is not meant to be used as a way to fight. This is used to get people in to and out of places a helicopter cannot land. This is a different rig than what I used in the Marines, but the use is still the same. Not used for fighting. You do not fly over enemy territory shooting the bad guys like this. Wildly inaccurate. Also, someone shooting at these guys would have the same problem. Bad guys might have a chance at the beginning of the extraction, but once the helo gains speed it becomes spray and pray.

What are they self-defensing from?

A sniper's wet dream.

Sadly, but true. If they were trying to engage the enemy in this formation, if it is a flash attack with heavy forces from the air, they would easily get picked off by a Sniper. Maybe this is more for show. In the field, I don't think from tactical viewpoint this is a smart way to do an assault.

Why don't they just shoot from inside the helicopter? If it's a landing manoeuvre then when they hit the ground they'll be all tangled up in a net. Doh!

Japan Today,

We really don't need to know what the Japanese SDF can do.

A sniper's wet dream.

Wouldn't want to be under enemy fire in this situation.