JOINT-BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in support of Exercise Kodiak Mace May 23, 2016.
Exercise Kodiak Mace is an annual exercise designed to enhance cohesion between the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force through bilateral combat training.
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 brought Marines from a variety of military occupational specialties to support Kodiak Mace. This exercise provides each section the opportunity to hone their techniques and procedures as a deployed detachment as if they were in real-world scenarios.
The main objective for VMGR-152 during this exercise is to train on a variety of aerial tactics that they otherwise are unable to perform at MCAS Iwakuni.
“We’re doing things like air delivery and assault landing zone operations, things we aren’t able to do in Japan,” said 1st Lt. Michael Rasmussen, a KC-130J pilot with VMGR-152. “Training like this enhances our readiness for the KC-130J community in the Pacific area of operations.”
In Alaska, Marines with VMGR-152 are able to conduct multiple flying missions specific to their success in the Pacific theater but in a new environment that permits more maneuverability.
“It’s vital for VMGR-152 air crew to train in the threat reaction because there is a high chance that we would fly in a threatened environment if anything were to happen in the Pacific area of operations.” said Capt. Michael Yim, a KC-130J pilot with VMGR-152.
Throughout the exercise, VMGR-152 trained with the U.S. Army, Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force while conducting air drops of supplies and soldiers, training in an open environment with flares, simulated assault missiles and low altitude tactical navigation drills.
The opportunity to train in this environment helps Marines within the squadron enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty.