TSUIKI AIR BASE, Japan -- More than 150 Airmen from the 18th Wing and the first group of F-15 Eagles from the 44th Fighter Squadron began Aviation Training Relocation today at Tsuiki Air Base, Japan.

The Airmen came to Tsuiki to participate in a two week long ATR with members of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.

"Our U.S. Japan strategic alliance is indispensable to security in this region and to maintaining security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," Lt. Col. Kevin Jamieson, 44th FS commander, said.

The ATR, hosted by the JASDF 8th Air Wing, is meant to focus on training in different geographical locations and cultural environments while strengthening U.S. and JASDF interoperability and combat readiness.

"Over the past 70 years the U.S. Japan relationship has been very important and has grown very much," said Jamieson. "We look forward to training together and continuing to improve our interoperability and combat readiness."

Members participating in the ATR are from various units under the 18th Wing and will be given the opportunity to practice deployed operations and perform bilateral training in a joint environment alongside the JASDF's 8th Air Wing.

"Working with the U.S. Airmen side by side will help not only interoperability but will also help enhance JASDF readiness and