YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Japan Air Self Defense Force will temporarily deploy Patriot missile batteries to several U.S. installations in Japan beginning Aug. 29, 2017, to practice and refine their ability to rapidly respond to North Korean missile threats.

The installations currently scheduled to support - Yokota Air Base, Misawa Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni - house both U.S. and Japanese forces and play a vital role in the defense of Japan. The one-day deployments will test the interoperability of U.S. and Japanese forces. Additionally, the training will allow for on-site assessments of firing locations, and provide the JASDF with opportunities to test rapid deployment of their air defense assets.

“Bilateral engagements like this one demonstrate the enduring strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the determination of both our nations to address the security challenge posed by North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs,” said Lt. Gen. Jerry Martinez, commander of U.S. Forces Japan. “We welcome these training deployments and look forward to working with our Japanese partners to make them a success” Martinez added.

The PAC-3 deployment training will take place at Yokota Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Aug. 29 and at Misawa Air Base on Sept. 7.