An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Feb. 13, 2019

Iron Fist 2019 Strengthens U.S.-Japan Alliance; Certifies Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade

By Cpl. Cutler Brice 1st Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, California -- U.S. Marines from 1st Marine Division and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade celebrated another successful exercise during the closing ceremony of Iron Fist 2019, Feb. 8, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

In addition to building upon the U.S.-Japan Alliance, Exercise Iron Fist 2019 provided the JGSDF with certification of its first amphibious assault force.

“I am proud to share this moment with one of our closest and most dependable allies: the soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Today we take another step forward in strengthening the important relationship between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force,” said Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, commanding general, 1st Marine Division during the closing ceremony.

Exercise Iron Fist is a multilateral training exercise in Southern California that focused on advanced marksmanship, fire and maneuver assaults, amphibious reconnaissance, staff planning, logistical support, familiarization of medical capabilities, fire support operations and amphibious landing operations.

This is the 14th iteration of Iron Fist, and the first time the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force brought their own assault amphibious vehicles. The JGSDF also certified the unit to become Japan’s first fully operational Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade.

“The development brought about by [Japan’s] own assault amphibious vehicles significantly increases [their] ability to employ amphibious combat power and keep the people of Japan safe from our adversaries,” said Castellvi.

With continued risk in the Western Pacific, gaining the ability to employ an amphibious force during Iron Fist 2019 was a significant accomplishment for the JGSDF. In order to achieve this, the Soldiers from the 1st ARDB put their skills to the test at the West Coast’s premier expeditionary training base.

“Camp Pendleton, aside from being close to the ocean and enhancing our ability to conduct amphibious operations has an expansive training area with multiple ranges and very challenging terrain,” said Col. Kevin Clark, commanding officer, 1st Marine Regiment. “This year, almost every day, our Marines, Sailors and JGSDF soldiers have been in the field. Many of those days it rained where they had to battle the elements.”

Despite the rain, and the challenges which came with it, Marines and Soldiers utilized every opportunity to train and learn from one another.

“The Marine Corps’ role during this exercise was a teach, coach and share best practices approach,” said Clark. “Its been a give and take for both sides, each sharing tactics and practices to the other.”

Sharing these tactics and practices offers the opportunity to build confidence within the troops. Learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses and having the confidence in each other creates an effective combined military operation.

“I can’t emphasize how important this training has been for both of our nations,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. “Iron Fist has sharpened our amphibious capabilities to quickly deploy sea-based assets in a multinational environment. Globally, naval expeditionary forces provide an important stabilizing capability for today’s unpredictable threats.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,872
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to the Philippines
Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff (right), and Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participate in an honors ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, on March 12, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and mutual partnership, further developing the strategic partnership with the Philippines codified in the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)
March 13, 2024 - Manila, PHILIPPINES — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Philippines March 10-14, 2024, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Armed Forces of the...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru
March 13, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

Working Groups Build Capacity and Develop Capabilities with Allies and Partners Across Indo-Pacific
Courtesy photo
March 13, 2024 - More than 450 security cooperation stakeholders and international partners gathered at Camp Withycombe, OR, for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) combined Capabilities Development Working Group (CDWG) and Security...

USS Annapolis Port Visit in Perth, Australia
March 12, 2024 - USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday...

U.S. Army Assault Helicopters Conduct Deck Landings on USNS Dahl
Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade exit a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter after single-spot deck-landing qualifications on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7. (Courtesy photo)
March 12, 2024 - Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7...