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 | Dec. 16, 2014

US Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Look to Sky for Forest Light's Culminating Event

By Cpl. Drew Tech III Marine Expeditionary Force

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops simulated a movement to contact and assault on an objective Dec. 9-10 while participating in Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Japan.

Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements, and improve individual and unit-level skills.

The training focused on incorporating the JGSDF members with the Marines during a combined close air support and infantry assault to an objective.

“The Japanese are new at close air support and integrating air and surface fires together,” said Capt. Gene Ziemba, a native of Warner Robins, Georgia, and a forward air controller and air officer with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. “We’re increasing their ability to combine arms on an objective to get the most bang for their buck.”

The Marines and JGSDF trained together for a week leading up to the assault, learning the way the other worked and bringing it all together for the culminating event of the exercise.

“This training has been very helpful for us to better understand each other’s skills,” said JGSDF Maj. Tomohito Urakawa, company commander for 3rd Company, 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army. “The Marines conduct training very, very seriously. We have an interest in the Marine Corps’ abilities, and we feel that they can make us better.”

During the assault, a team of Marines from 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company worked alongside their JGSDF counterparts to coordinate the close air support necessary to take out a simulated target.

“My mission is to liaise with any unit outside the Marine Corps that would use Marine Corps close air support assets and fire support,” said Capt. Stephen L. Walker, a native of Morganton, North Carolina, and a field artillery officer with 5th ANGLICO, III MEF Headquarters Group, III MEF. “I provide that coordination and that fire support for that unit. The JGSDF don’t have joint terminal air controllers, so I provide that skill set for them.”

Forest Light demonstrates the continued commitment of the U.S. and Japan to increase interoperability of their armed forces and maintain a strong partnership.

“We’re increasing our bilateral partnerships with the Japanese in order to further their ability to provide internal defense throughout their home islands,” said Ziemba. “I like to say that they always train for playing a home game, where as we always play away games.” 

At the end of the training, both the Marines and JGSDF gained a better understanding of how each other operate and will be better equipped to work together in any potential future events.

“It gives us a better understanding of how our staffs will work together,” said Walker. “They see what we bring to the fight and what we can offer. We are continuing to build our coalition partnerships in the Pacific.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,199
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Minister of National Defence Judith Collins of New Zealand
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 25, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Ryder provided the following readout...

First of its kind deployment of Marine cyber forces to the INDO-PACOM Theater
Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in the cyber operations center at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. MARFORCYBER Marines conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations in support of United States Cyber Command and operate, secure and defend the Marine Corps Enterprise Network. This image is a photo illustration.
March 25, 2024 - Marines assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the inaugural iteration of a new cyber rotational force concept...