MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Japanese students of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Officer Candidate School in Etajima, Hiroshima, visited Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Aug. 5-6, in an effort to better understand America’s military role in the Pacific and build relations.
The visit hosted approximately 200 members and included a bus tour of the station, an opportunity to see aircraft on the flight line and also a chance to eat American styled fast food at the Crossroads Food Court.
Each day the candidates were broken into two groups, while one group toured the station the other would walk along the flight line. The groups would then switch. After the bus and flight line tours were complete, candidates ate lunch.
“They saw the F/A-18, Prowlers, and Ospreys,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Colin Raunig, personal exchange officer at the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Officer Candidate School in Etajima.
Akamatsu Shinji, naval flight instructing officer and participant, added that seeing the jets was a rare opportunity and many of the members had never been on an American base before.
During the tour, participants bonded with Marines and spoke about the differences in militaries such as physical standards, uniform regulations and ranks.
“They seem incredibly focused and optimistic,” said Raunig. “I think we are very fortunate to have them as our allies in the Pacific.”
Although the talk was causal, the bigger picture was still well within sight.
“The lines between Japan and America are important,” said Raunig. “The better we are able to create a stronger bond and understand each other, the better we are able to accomplish the mission and work cohesively to ensure that we are providing defense for the Japanese. All this also allows the American military forces to better accomplish our mission in the Pacific.”
The soon to be Japanese naval officers also recognized the importance of a strong relationship between the US and Japan.
“Events such as this give the Japanese Self Defense Force and American military a good opportunity to build a good relationship into the future,” said Akamatsu.
Each day the tour ended with a visit to the last Japanese Zero hanger left on MCAS Iwakuni. Candidates were given the chance to look inside the cockpit of a replica Zero fighter and observe some remaining artifacts from the World War II era.
The event only lasted two days, but it left a positive impression on the schools command who wishes to continue events like this in the future.