Self-Defense Forces Afghan Dispatch Approaching the Unknown "Deep" September 16 14:47
It was exactly the operation that was decided just under the sudden turn.
Afghanistan, where the insurgent Taliban seized power and the government supported by the United States and the international community collapsed.
A dispatch order was given to the Self-Defense Forces to evacuate the remaining Japanese.
Four aircraft, including a transport aircraft, and about 260 members went to the site.
One Japanese woman and 14 Afghans requested by the United States were able to evacuate.
As a result, none of the more than 500 Afghans, including the staff working at the Japanese embassy and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and their families, were supposed to be evacuated by the government.
Now, experts and others have pointed out that the decision to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces was late.
Afghanistan was at the height of turmoil.
How was the Self-Defense Forces acting at that time?
I will report the inner curtain in a thorough interview.
(Social Affairs Department Reporter Ryotaro Minami Nishi Muta Kei Suda Yuji)
"The Self-Defense Forces will not come out."
August 20th, 5th from the fall of Kabul
"It looks like it's going to be a request for'TJNO'" It was
the evening of August 20th, 5 days after the fall of Kabul, that the information came from the people concerned. ..
"TJNO" is an abbreviation that stands for "Transportation of Japanese Nationals Overseas" and means "transportation of Japanese nationals abroad" based on the Self-Defense Forces Act.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs will request the Minister of Defense to take out the aircraft and transport the remaining Japanese and others in Afghanistan.
"Are you sure you want to do it?" When I
first touched on this information, I thought so.
Until just before, it was the view of most Ministry of Defense officials that "the Self-Defense Forces will not come out."
August 14th, 6 days ago.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had secretly asked the Ministry of Defense about the possibility of using SDF aircraft.
However, at this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still assumed that private charter aircraft could be used.
The consultation with the Self-Defense Forces only conveyed the "potential" and thought that "basically it would not be taken care of" (Ministry of Foreign Affairs official).
The Taliban's seize of power, the fall of the capital Kabul, was seen as a long way off.
Even among SDF personnel, there was a widespread view that "there is no turn for us when civilian aircraft are flying."
Dispatched drama "just under the sudden turn"
The sudden change was the fall of Kabul on the 15th.
The de facto collapse of the administration broke the premise of "continuing the operation of civilian aircraft," and the Japanese government was forced to rethink its plans on how to evacuate the Japanese who stayed there.
Two days after the fall of Kabul, 12 Japanese staff from the embassy were evacuated. They boarded a British military aircraft. European countries, including Germany and France, have already begun to evacuate their own people and local collaborators.
In turn, Japan. More than 500 embassies and JICA's Afghan staff were still left behind. However, even at this stage, many people from the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces said, "There will be no TJNO."
When the Self-Defense Forces leave, it takes time, including preparations. In addition, while Japanese staff at the embassy have already evacuated, there are skeptical voices asking "Are there any Japanese residents who want to evacuate?" There may be a high hurdle both legally and legally. "
The government explained, "We have considered various measures, such as whether or not we can get the extra seats of military aircraft from other countries." However, the prospect of realization did not stand. In the end, it was decided that there was no other way but to dispatch a SDF aircraft.
And August 20th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated to the Ministry of Defense the possibility of a "TJNO request". As the name "Transportation of Japanese overseas, etc." indicates, TJNO cannot be implemented unless Japanese are included. On the flip side, the government has interpreted that if Japanese are included, foreigners can be transported regardless of the number.
At that time, several Japanese residents wanted to leave the country, according to people familiar with the matter. Along with the evacuation of the Japanese, the Self-Defense Forces will also evacuate the embassy and JICA's Afghan staff. The framework of this operation has been solidified.
On August 23,
preparations for
issuing a transportation order
proceeded at a rapid pace, and at 0:13 pm on the 23rd, Minister of Defense Kishi ordered transportation by SDF aircraft.
Six hours later, a C2 transport plane took off from Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture.
Following this, two C130 transport planes also left Japan for neighboring Pakistan, where they will be based.
"Integrated mission unit" The whole picture
In this mission, the Self-Defense Forces formed an "integrated mission unit" consisting of members of the Air Self-Defense Force and the Ground Self-Defense Force.
This is the fifth time for TJNO, but this is the first time that a Ground Self-Defense Force unit has been involved.
An official of the Ministry of Defense explains the reason as follows.
An official of the Ministry of Defense
"The reason why" land "was entered is probably because a sudden change in the situation was expected. TJNO is premised on transportation safety, but considering the local situation, I think that it is a judgment that it may happen in the past. Four times means that the perception of danger was different. "
The Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the details of this integrated mission unit.
From the interviews with the people concerned, the whole picture can be seen.
The "guided transport corps" accounts for about half of the members.
At the airport, it plays the role of guiding the person to be transported to the transport aircraft while escorting them.
In addition, there are the "Air Transport Corps", which is responsible for the operation of transport aircraft, and the "Boarding Support Corps", which provides explanations to the people to be transported together with the person in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The main personnel of the "guided transport corps" are the "Central Readiness Regiment" of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
In addition to being dispatched to various "emergency situations" such as disasters and terrorism, the main role of overseas dispatch is to act as an advance unit.
We are repeating training in preparation for the "rescue" and "security" of Japanese people who are expected to use weapons, which is made possible by security-related laws.
It is thought that the reason why the Central Readiness Regiment was assigned to the "guided transport corps" was to prepare for "just in case" when guiding the target person to the transport aircraft.
Also this time, the Ministry of Defense did not disclose the weapons carried by the unit because of security problems, but according to interviews with multiple parties, only rifles and pistols were carried.
In the past overseas dispatch, members carried machine guns and armored vehicles, but this time the safety inside the airport was ensured by the U.S. military, so it was said that they carried only the minimum amount of weapons. ..
Operation started
August 25 Self-Defense Forces Transport Aircraft To Kabul Only
three
transport aircraft from
Japan arrived in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, one after another by the night of the 25th.
Around this time, impatience was spreading among the Ministry of Defense and SDF personnel.
US President Joe Biden has announced that he will not extend the withdrawal deadline set by the end of August.
He called on countries, including Japan, to withdraw Kabul's airport by the end of the 27th.
At this time, the slot slot at Kabul Airport secured by Japan is 3 days from 25th to 27th.
However, when it is withdrawn on the 27th, it may be difficult to devote it to the transportation of evacuation applicants on that day.
The maximum number of people who wish to evacuate is "500 or more."
Considering carrying everyone, there was no time to spare.
The Integrated Task Force hastily decided to direct the first C2 transport to Kabul.
The aircraft was dispatched to transport members and equipment, and although there were originally no plans to carry evacuation applicants, the stomach could not be replaced on the back.
Arriving in Kabul for the first time ...
The transport plane that left Islamabad before 11:00 pm on the 25th arrived at the airport in Kabul in about 40 minutes.
This was the moment when the SDF transport plane first entered Kabul.
A transport aircraft that delivered the supplies needed locally with dozens of members, including members of the "guided transport corps."
However, there was no one who wanted to evacuate at the airport.
No one could reach it.
Around this time, the Japanese government explained to those who wished to evacuate, "I will ask them to move to the airport on their own."
The Self-Defense Forces were also not allowed to work outside the airport.
Safety cannot be guaranteed outside the airport, which is not under the control of the US military.
However, those who wished to evacuate had to reach the airport in an environment where "safety could not be guaranteed".
"It's no
wonder I
can't arrive," I
frankly thought.
Eventually, the transport returned to Islamabad without carrying any evacuees.
Evacuate 14 Afghans
August 26, Day 2 of Transport The
day after, the Integrated Task Force planned to use two C130 transport planes to make six round trips between Islamabad and Kabul.
He said he was also thinking of using a C2 transport aircraft if he could secure more slots.
However, before dawn on that day, a failure of the flood control system was discovered in one C130 transport aircraft.
Only another C130 transport plane flew that day.
The first time, I took off from Islamabad after noon.
Although the members and supplies were delivered, there were no applicants to evacuate to the airport again.
After returning to Islamabad, we left for Kabul again around 7:30 pm.
Arrived in about an hour.
At that time, 14 Afghans at the airport were evacuated.
14 people are related to the old administration and their families.
He was requested by the United States to evacuate because he could be persecuted if he remained in Afghanistan.
This was the first case of carrying a foreigner at TJNO.
Self-destructive terrorism that prevented evacuation
Meanwhile, around this time, in Kabul, a plan to realize the evacuation of Japanese people, "convoy operation," was secretly underway.
The government and JICA were preparing buses to deliver evacuation applicants to the airport.
At that time, it was necessary for those who wished to evacuate to be allowed to pass by the Taliban's inspection in the city before reaching Kabul Airport.
The government explained that this afternoon there was only a meditation between the US military and the Taliban to agree on the passage of Japanese and Afghan staff.
We called on those who wish to evacuate to gather at a meeting place in the city by 10:30 pm Japan time.
The target audience is about 600 people.
Twenty-seven buses were prepared and were to go to the airport.
If the evacuation was realized, it could be said that it was almost "mission complete".
However…
Just as the convoy was about to leave for the airport, a large-scale explosion caused by a suicide bomber occurred.
Those who wished to evacuate were forced to disband.
Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained to the interview as follows.
Foreign Ministry explanation
"The US military was coordinating to pass the Taliban inspection, and we had to give the US military a list of people who wanted to pass and wait for the Taliban's approval. It's a pity that the terrorist attack happened just before the train line started. "
Do you want to take a rest
August 27, transport the final day
as the damage of large-scale explosion become apparent, between the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces, the view that "no longer TJNO is or not than not continue" had spread.
After the explosion, the troops dispatched to the site were said to have evacuated into a concrete sword.
A Ministry of Defense official said,
"The turmoil was immeasurable because the" safety of transportation "that was the premise of dispatch could be shaken. It became more and more difficult for evacuation applicants to reach the airport, and the operation at this point. Was quite possible to cancel. "
In addition, the government explained that the U.S. military had notified that the gates at the airport could be opened but could not pass the Taliban inspection.
Do you want to take a rest?
However, things change suddenly.
There was information that the Taliban agreed to allow passage if they were not Afghanistan.
In response to this, a Japanese woman headed for the airport by the prepared bus.
The bus passed the Taliban inspection safely around 5:30 pm.
All I had to do was wait for the arrival of the SDF aircraft.
On this day, the integrated mission unit had secured six slots at the airport in Kabul.
However, the repair of the C130 transport plane, which broke down the day before, took until this afternoon.
It is said that a trouble also occurred in the C2 transport aircraft.
And on this day as well, the evacuation applicants continued to be unable to reach the airport, so they had to cancel the four slots they had secured.
There are two slots left at night, which depart and arrive at 20-minute intervals.
The government has decided to send two C130 transport planes to Kabul and withdraw all SDF personnel and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense officials on this flight.
Real, last chance.
It's past 7 pm Japan time.
The two aircraft left Islamabad one after another and headed for Kabul.
I arrived one hour after departure.
At the airport, the Japanese woman who passed the Taliban inspection was waiting.
Perhaps afraid of the Taliban, the woman wore a black cloth and her face was only visible.
One carried a woman, the other loaded with SDF personnel and materials, and two C130 transport planes struck Kabul.
After 10 pm, the two aircraft returned safely to Islamabad and the mission was virtually over.
The embassy and JICA's Afghan staff, which are said to have "more than 500 people," were left in the field.
Four days later, on August 31, Defense Minister Kishi ordered the end of transportation activities, and the Self-Defense Forces withdrew.
The government explained that "the most important goal of evacuation of Japanese people was achieved."
However, one of the Ministry of Defense officials leaked to us:
A Ministry of Defense official said,
"The result is that the dispatch was too late and I couldn't make it in time. It may have been a turning point when the embassy staff was evacuated on a British military aircraft on the 17th. Anyway, in preparation for the evacuation of Japanese residents and Afghanistan staff after this, if the Self-Defense Forces were dispatched at that timing and the activity base was created in Islamabad, it would have been possible to transport a little more. But I think it influenced the result. "
How did you see "TJNO experienced people"?
How do experts view this dispatch?
We interviewed two people who had experience in dispatching the Self-Defense Forces overseas.
Katsutoshi Kawano, who commanded TJNO twice as the top of the Self-Defense Forces and Chief of Staff, Joint Staff.
He said that the dispatch was late, and pointed out that there was a debate over the overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces in the background.
Mr. Kono:
"I don't know what kind of exchanges and decisions were made within the government this time, but in general, when making a law concerning the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces, there are very strict conditions for ensuring safety. Where the Self-Defense Forces go is safe. That is always the premise of discussions. From such discussions, it is possible to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces, so if you can use civilian aircraft, it is safer to use civilian aircraft, so it will not be controversial. I think it's becoming unknowingly mentally. "
"
I think it
's better to switch to the idea of using SDF aircraft from the beginning. Even if civilian aircraft can be used, I used SDF aircraft. It is possible for the government to clearly show its intention to protect the lives and safety of Japanese residents responsibly. In that sense, I think it is better to actively consider the use of SDF aircraft. increase"
Kyoji Yanagisawa, a former defense bureaucrat and assistant chief cabinet secretary, dispatched the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq and was involved in the first TJNO.
The perception that "dispatch was late" is the same as Mr. Kono.
Mr. Yanagisawa:
"Almost half of the capital
cities
(in Afghanistan) had fallen about a week before Kabul fell, so if you look closely, the government will switch to'emergency mode'at least around August 10. I think I should have made a plan for evacuation. Then I could launch the SDF aircraft sooner. I shouldn't say "I'm glad I was able to carry one Japanese person." I have the impression that
On top of that, Mr. Yanagisawa said in response to the opinion that the requirements for dispatching the Self-Defense Forces should be relaxed based on this mission.
柳澤さん
「各国とも、どうやって武器を使わず、空港まで輸送できるかというところで苦労していたわけで、そこに成否の分かれ目があった。だから、今回の件を受けて、武器を使って救出するということを議論するというのは、まったく的外れなんだろうと私は思います。空港の周辺に集まっていたアフガニスタンの民衆を、武器を使って排除すればよかったのか。安全が確保されてないのに派遣して退避希望者が犠牲になったら、誰が責任を取るのか。自衛隊が行って成果を上げるということが大事なんじゃない。いちばん大事なことは、関係者が無事であることなんですね」
自衛隊派遣はどうあるべきか
当初想定していた、アフガニスタン人の退避対象者を1人も退避させられなかったことで、今、自衛隊派遣の在り方に注目が集まっている。自衛隊法の改正を議論すべきだという意見も出始めた。
岸防衛大臣は、自衛隊機を派遣する判断が遅かったなどと指摘されていることなどをふまえ、一連の対応を検証する考えを示した。
問題はどこにあったのか。情報不足か、判断の遅れか、それとも、オペレーションか。政府には、今もアフガニスタンに残る「500人以上」の退避に向けた努力を続けることはもちろん、今回の任務について、可能なかぎり国民に情報を開示し、開かれた場で、徹底的に検証することが求められる。
そのときに、忘れてはならない事実がある。
自衛隊は、これまでの海外派遣で、実戦で1発の銃弾も撃ったことはない。そして、1人の犠牲者も出していない。それは、海外派遣の歴史が、国会などでの徹底的な議論、そして事後の地道な検証の積み重ねによって形作られていることの証左でもある。
今回の経験を「次」に生かすには、どうすればいいのか。
拙速な議論で終わらせてはならないことは、歴史が教えてくれている。
（文中の時間は日本時間）
社会部記者
南井遼太郎
2011年入局
防衛省・自衛隊担当
社会部記者
西牟田慧
2011年入局
防衛省・自衛隊担当
社会部記者
須田唯嗣
2014年入局