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. 7, 2017

Bilateral Training Exercise, Iron Fist 2017 Opening Ceremony

By Lance Cpl. Robert Alejandre 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- “The purpose of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between U.S. and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, as well as to build amphibious capabilities for the JGSDF,” said Col. Chandler Nelms, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer.

Exercise Iron Fist 2017 marks the 12th iteration of the annual event. Traditionally this exercise focused primarily on tactics and operation, but this year’s focus is slightly different.

“The JGSDF Western Army Infantry Regiment is helping to shape an amphibious readiness defense brigade,” said Nelms. “The Marine Corps is the only amphibious arm of the United States military that has expertise in amphibious operations.”

The JGSDF will stand side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts and train in planning and conducting amphibious operations.

“The JGSDF will get a good look at how our Marine Corps forces integrate with our Navy forces…, the joint warfare construct and amphibious planning,” said Nelms.

Iron Fist 2017 will enable continued subject matter expertise exchanges between U.S. forces and JGSDF, strengthening both militaries’ technical and tactical proficiencies.

We have a lot to learn from this, especially the combined arms combat operations and we are ready to learn from the Marines here at Camp Pendleton, said Col. Ryuji Toyota, commanding officer of the Western Army Infantry Regiment.

Exercise Iron Fist will be held in Southern California on Camp Pendleton and other military installations from Feb.6 to March 6. The exercise will include advanced marksmanship, amphibious reconnaissance, landing, and assault operations.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
342,385
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
US Air Force Participates in Civic Action Engagement Alongside Royal Thai Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force during Exercise Cope Tiger 23
Col. Paul Davidson, left, U.S. Air Force exercise director, Col. Maxmillion Goh, center, Royal Singapore Air Force exercise director and Group Capt. Anurruk Romnarak, right, Royal Thailand Air Force exercise director, pose for a photo with students, faculty members, and community leaders during a combined civic action engagement during Exercise Cope Tiger 23 at Nongpednam School, Korat, Kingdom of Thailand, March 23, 2023. The combined civic action engagement provides an opportunity for countries participating in CT 23 to give back to the community surrounding Korat Royal Thai Air Base. CT 23 is an annual exercise meant to improve readiness and the ability of participating forces to operate together while enhancing military relations and combined capabilities.
March 29, 2023 - KORAT, Kingdom of Thailand -- Airmen from the United States, Thailand and Singapore visited a local school as part of a combined civic action engagement during Exercise Cope Tiger 2023.The Airmen took a break from their...

U.S. Naval Ship Matthew Perry Returns to Indo-Pacific Waters After Voyage Repair in India
U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin inside USNS Matthew Perry which was at L&T shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai for maintenance and repair work.
March 29, 2023 - CHENNAI, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India -- USNS Matthew Perry, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the United States Navy, has successfully completed maintenance and repair work at Larsen & Toubro Ltd’s facility in...

Competition With China Drives FY 2024 Budget Request
Ships and aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), operate in formation in the South China Sea. NIMCSG, MKI ARG and 13th MEU, are conducting combined expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, demonstrating unique high-end war fighting capability, maritime superiority, power projection and readiness. Operations include integrated training designed to advance interoperability between the two groups while simultaneously demonstrating the U.S. commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. NIMCSG is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
March 29, 2023 - WASHINGTON -- The $842 billion fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Defense Department is driven in large part by strategic competition with China, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.The budget also focuses, he...

Navy Conducts Revitalization at the Port of Tinian; Extends Life of Port Infrastructure for Region
A U.S. Navy diver from Underwater Construction Team (UCT) Two enters the Port of Tinian for underwater construction repairs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  Photo by
March 29, 2023 - TINIAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- Bubbling under the waters at the Port of Tinian, a team of Sailors from Underwater Construction Team (UCT) Two could be seen welding zinc anodes to the north quay wall...

NIMCSG, JMSDF Conduct Bilateral Maritime Exercise
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) steam behind the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting a bilateral maritime exercise with the JMSDF in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
March 28, 2023 - PHILIPPINE SEA -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) conducted a bilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), March 23-26.USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and USS...