Global InformationWestern Army Infantry Regiment information
| Western Army Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
| 西部方面普通科連隊 Seibu Hōmen Futsū-ka Rentai | |
 WAIR Camp Ainoura patch | |
| Active | March 27, 2002–March 27, 2018 |
| Country |  Japan |
| Branch |  Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Type | Marines |
| Size | ~ 680 |
| Part of | Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Sasebo, Nagasaki |
| Nickname(s) | WAIR |
| Engagements | Iraqi occupation |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Yoshiyuki Gotō |
| Notable commanders | Colonel Akira Kurosawa[1] |
The Western Army Infantry Regiment (Japanese: 西部方面普通科連隊, romanized: Seibu Hōmen Futsū-ka Rentai) is a Japanese light infantry regiment that specializes in amphibious operations. Its main purpose is to defend remote islands in Japanese territorial waters,[2] specifically in the Kyushu region and south, including the islands of Okinawa prefecture.[3] Although it is designated a regiment, it is comparable to a typical infantry battalion in size.
In April 2018, a new brigade modeled along the lines of the US Marine Corps was activated within the JGSDF, designated the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. When the new brigade is fully formed, and all troops and equipment assigned, the WAIR will be tasked as and perhaps also renamed the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment. The regiment is based at Sasebo in Nagasaki prefecture, in proximity to the large naval base there.[3][4]
- ^ Corporal Elyssa Quesada. "Coronado hosts Japanese amphibious training". Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. Archived from the original on 2014-02-08. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
- ^ Fumiaki Sonoyama (2012-10-28). "GSDF wants amphibious capabilities of U.S. Marines". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2014-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
- ^ a b "WAiR （ワイアー）：陸上自衛隊西部方面普通科連隊" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2005-12-01. Retrieved 2005-12-01.
- ^ Takateru Doi (2010-09-01). "GSDF 'Marines' planned to defend isles". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2014-02-08. Retrieved 2014-02-08.