YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash.– Loud shots echoed across the training area as the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment partnered with the 12th Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, began to maneuver through the urban assault course, Sept. 19, 2016. The course was part of the culminating event of Rising Thunder 2016, an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. Army and JGSDF.

The assault was composed of U.S. and Japanese infantry platoons, a Japanese tank section and U.S. and Japanese sniper sections.

“My team was the sniper section, made up of a sniper section leader and a single sniper team, which consists of three men,” said 1st Lt. John Temme, scout platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. “Their task was to provide support by fire and take out targets of opportunity in the village, allowing our tanks and our Stryker platoon to set-up their support by fire position.”

As the sniper team continued to clear enemy scouts, Japanese main battle tanks along with U.S. Strykers assembled out on the field to provide additional support by fire. This allowed for the Soldiers to dismount and assume their fighting positions.

All personnel communicated accurately across the battlefield to successfully complete their mission.

“Its important to be able to maintain an open line of communication,” said Sgt. Brandon Queen, a sniper team leader with 2-1 Inf. “To be able to relay back and forth precise information, such as, which targets we are seeing and engaging, so that we are all on the same page and not shooting incorrect targets. Its very important.”

A while after the tanks and Strykers started their assault, Japanese light armored vehicles proceeded to make their way towards the left flank of the village to set-up firing positions. As the last piece of the mission, the Japanese service members moved in to clear the village.

U.S. and Japanese service members trained vigorously alongside each other for the past three weeks. They were able to share their knowledge and tactical experiences to enhance their skill sets and continue to strengthen their relationship.

Temme and his Soldiers learned and compared best tactics and techniques with their Japanese partners.

“It helps us take a step back and look at how we’re doing in our side of the mission,” Temme said. “It also helps us see other cultures. I think its something that for me and a lot of Soldiers will never see or interact with Japanese people the way we have here and that’s just a great opportunity."