PEARL HARBOR –
Units attached to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and the Japan Self-Defense Force completed exercise Keen Sword 21 (KS21), Nov. 5, on military installations throughout mainland Japan, Okinawa prefecture, and their surrounding waters.
The joint-bilateral field training exercise (FTX), including forces from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps, enhanced Japan-U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. The FTX included maritime operations, amphibious landings, air operations, resupply efforts, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercises, cyber and space operations, and base security events.
“Keen Sword was a tremendous success with respect to operating and integrating with our allies," said Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander, U.S. Forces Japan. "By learning from and working alongside each other, not only did we improve our joint and bilateral capabilities, we once again demonstrated our unwavering resolve to the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which has been the foundation of peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region for the past 60 years.”
Approximately 9,000 U.S. and 37,000 JSDF forces trained in the 11-day exercise. Forces under U.S. command included ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and Commander Task Force 73, USS Ashland (LSD 48), HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338); aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 5, Commander Task Force 72, 5th Air Force; ground forces from U.S. Army Japan; and air, as well as ground forces from III Marine Expeditionary Force.
At Yokota Air Base, west of Tokyo, the bilateral exercise control group (BECG) coordinated and monitored events throughout KS21. While some events were conducted unilaterally for unit-level training, major portions of the exercise focused on integration, demonstrating the inherent flexibility and capability of the U.S. and Japanese militaries.
“Exercises such as Keen Sword provide the opportunity to enhance our joint-bilateral capabilities, particularly by identifying and then overcoming obstacles through realistic and challenging training scenarios,” said Capt. Naochika Fujiwara, Japan Joint Staff director of training and exercises, and BECG co-director. “Even more, Keen Sword provided a message that our Japan-U.S. Alliance continues to be a cornerstone of regional peace and security.”
The BECG focused on highlighting cross and multi-domain operations as well as finding new initiatives, which are all critical to the shared capability to respond to contingencies at a moment’s notice.
“U.S. and Japanese forces already have a long history of training together, and we value every opportunity to seize new initiatives that will build upon our existing proficiencies,” said U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey Gottlieb, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command acting deputy director for training and exercises, and BECG co-director. “These continual enhancements set up future iterations of Keen Sword for more challenges and successes, and more broadly, ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Keen Sword 21 was a biennial, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-scheduled, and U.S. Pacific Fleet-sponsored FTX. The joint-bilateral FTX ran from Oct. 26 through Nov. 5.