Teishin Shudan ("Raiding Group") was the IJA's special forces/airborne unit during World War II. The word "teishin" may be literally translated as "dash forward", and is usually translated as "raiding". It may also be regarded as similar to the "commando" designation in the terminology of other armies. Called a division, the unit was a brigade-sized force, and was part of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS). The "Teishin" units were therefore distinct from the marine parachute units of the Special Naval Landing Forces.