MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Iwakuni Police Department, Customs and Coast Guard gathered at Muronoki pier, Iwakuni harbor, Iwakuni, Japan, to take part in an annual anti-terrorism training exercise, Nov. 22, 2013.
The exercise is based on collaboration between three agencies to demonstrate preventative measures against terrorist threats along the Japanese border.
With members of the Anti-terrorism Force Protection Office and Provost Marshal’s Office from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, present, Japanese forces demonstrated their tactics when dealing with a variety of situations.
“We’re all part of the same bilateral anti-terrorism group,” said Andrew R. Samuels, the station anti-terrorism officer. ”We aid each other in training with anti-terrorism missions to improve our countermeasures.”
Having ATFP and PMO at the event shows MCAS Iwakuni’s support to the mission, said Samuels.
Japanese forces demonstrated diverse exercises during the event.
One demonstration included Japanese Coast Guard chasing down a hostile vessel, engaging the enemy in a brief firefight using simulated rounds before disabling and boarding the privateer’s ship.
“I was really impressed today with what they showed us and how they handled themselves when dealing with threats,” said Capt. Jacob Hoskins, the station Provost Marshal.
The police department conducted a simulation to deal with an unknown individual wearing a gas mask, wielding a knife and a mysterious container who sprinted out from a docked ship on to the pier.
The Yamaguchi Prefectural Police Headquarters riot squad reacted by surrounding the man while simultaneously, avoiding knife strikes and dodging an unknown chemical being utilized by the aggressor.
The assailant dropped his knife after a firm shield bash from one of the officers. As a final effort, the assailant threw his chemical container at the riot squad before attempting to flee the scene. With swift reaction, police officers cut off the man’s escape, detained him and escorted him onto a police vehicle.
Hoskins said he was most impressed by how the riot squad handled themselves throughout the duration of the exercise.
“These events never disappoint me,” said Samuels. “I feel reassured every time we come see this exercise. I know we’re in good hands and the more we work together, the better we will become at stopping terrorist threats.”
With the exercise concluded both MCAS Iwakuni and Iwakuni police personnel shook hands ensuring each other that their shores are well protected against terrorist threats.