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 | Jan. 26, 2023

Japanese Partners Tour US Army Vessel to Better Understand Capabilities

By Sean Kimmons U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs

YOKOHAMA NORTH DOCK, Japan – Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) leaders toured a U.S. Army landing craft utility (LCU) vessel here Wednesday as part of a familiarization event hosted by the 10th Support Group.

Soldiers led the tour of LCU Calaboza and spoke of the vessel’s capabilities to more than a dozen leaders in JGSDF’s Middle Army, which is headquartered near Osaka and protects a region comprised of numerous islands.

“This event is a stepping stone to building better bilateral relationships,” said Lt. Col. Yong Choe, operations officer for the 10th SG. “The relationships that we build, even though it’s on a small scale, will go a long way.”

The JGSDF currently does not have watercraft and mainly relies on Japan’s maritime force and civilian ships to transport troops and equipment by sea.

Japanese Col. Motokazu Suzuki, G-3 operations chief for the Middle Army, said the JGSDF has been considering the addition of watercraft to its force.

The event allowed Suzuki and other headquarters staff members to improve their knowledge of how the U.S. Army utilizes watercraft as well as see one up close.

“Today’s visit is kind of a lesson learned for us,” he said.

During the tour, Soldiers showed the Japanese partners the LCU’s bridge, where two crew members steer the vessel, as well as the living quarters, engine room and other sections of the vessel.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allan Pulsifer, liaison officer for the 10th SG’s PULSE-W, helped conduct a capabilities brief to the leaders before the tour.

PULSE-W, or Pacific Utilities Logistic Support Enablers–Watercraft, is a rotation of Army vessels that supports various exercises and missions in the region.

Pulsifer said the leader professional development event, which was the first to be held for JGSDF members, helped provide more awareness of the support the U.S. Army has available to Japan forces.

“This is their first exposure [to this event] and also being on the craft,” he said, “so hopefully it should bridge some gaps and build our joint partnership with Japan.”

LCUs, which are used for tactical resupply and logistics-over-the-shore operations, are small but still provide a heavy-lift capability. The vessels can carry up to either five M1 Abrams tanks, 24 double-stacked shipping containers, or 400 combat-equipped troops – about the same payload capacity of seven C-17 aircraft.

Japanese Col. Momoko Matsuda, G-4 logistics chief for the Middle Army, said she did not know the U.S. Army had watercraft until the former 10th SG commander told her about them two years ago.

“At that time, I became so interested in this unit,” she said, “and my staff was also very curious.”

Since Japan is a nation of islands, Matsuda has recognized the value of watercraft in helping transport troops and equipment.

“It’s beneficial for us to know about a U.S. Army vessel unit,” she said. “It’s very important to see, and I’m so excited to visit and talk [with the Soldiers].”

Maj. Matthew Castiglione, a U.S. Army Japan liaison officer who works with the Middle Army staff, expects other Japan regional army leaders to soon participate in similar events to increase their knowledge.

"As an alliance partner, we are committed to help strengthen our JGSDF counterparts and increase interoperability," he said. “This is one of the ways of doing that by introducing them to additional equipment and capability that may benefit them in their defense of Japan.”

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
341,774
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launch
March 15, 2023 - We are aware of the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners. The United States condemns these actions and calls on...

Five Indo-Pacific Nations begin Exercise Sea Dragon
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon from the
March 15, 2023 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 “Red Lancers” and VP-45 “Pelicans” join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), India Navy (INN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense...

DOD Official Says Sub Agreement Will Help Guarantee Free, Open Indo-Pacific
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, Mara Karlin conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2023.
March 15, 2023 - WASHINGTON -- U.S. defense officials believe the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) enhanced security partnership will go a long way to guaranteeing stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.Spotlight:...

JBER partakes in Exercise Ultimate Caduceus 2023
U.S. Air Force Maj. Christen Chandler, flight commander of group education and training of the 673d Medical Group Staff, assesses the health of a simulated patient during Exercise Ultimate Caduceus (UC23) on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 13, 2023. UC23 exercises U.S. Transportation Command’s ability to scale up forces and deploy sufficient medical assets providing expedited patient-movement and critical care, as well as assess reception and staging requirements as patients are safely transported to care within the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class J. Michael Peña)
March 15, 2023 - The U.S. Transportation Command kicked off Exercise Ultimate Caduceus 2023’s field training portion with key players from 673d Medical Group and Golf Company, Detachment 2, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Alaska...

13th MEU Conducts Expeditionary Strike Force Operations in the South China Sea
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 15, 2023 - South China Sea -- The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group conducted Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) operations with the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in the South China Sea. ESF...