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In this photo, Japanese Maj. Gen. Yasuyuki Kodama, commanding general of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force's 1st Airborne Brigade, observes his paratroopers as they perform an airborne proficiency operation over Malemute Drop Zone during Exercise Arctic Aurora at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska June 9, 2016. Arctic Aurora is a yearly bilateral training exercise involving elements of the Spartan Brigade and the JGSDF, which focuses on strengthening ties between the two by executing combined small unit airborne proficiency operations and basic small arms marksmanship.