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By Petty Officer 2nd Class Chelsy Alamina
Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., with Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members from the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, Northern Army, attended a ceremony that closed Orient Shield 14, a bilateral training exercise taking place at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, Nov. 7. In military fashion, hundreds of Soldiers and JGSDF members stood in uniformed ranks and were addressed by the commanders of both units on their cohesion during this exercise. “From the moment we arrived at this great training base, Camp Chitose, the 7th Armor Division has been dedicated partners and I’m looking forward to continue to grow that relationship,” said Col. Louis Zeisman, Commander 2nd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Over the past two weeks, U.S. Soldiers and JGSDF members learned about each other’s tactics, techniques and capabilities. They applied their knowledge in exercises using their vehicles, weapons, aircraft, and other equipment that concluded in a bilateral FTX, which encompassed all tasks and topics trained on during the functional phase of training. “Working with the Japanese has been phenomenal,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, Commanding General, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., “These soldiers are professional, they are well motivated, they are highly disciplined and they are tremendous partners. With the work we are doing with Japan right now there are many more training opportunities to come, so this shows the interoperability and partnership we have with our Japanese allies.” Orient Shield 14 is the final iteration of Pacific Pathways, which is designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and its allies units’ emphasizing combat readiness of both forces while strengthening the relationship. “Together we will refine our interoperability and demonstrate our continued dedication to the development of both our teams,” said Zeisman.
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