MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- For years, Fleet Air Wing 31's Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force air traffic controllers have conducted on-the-job training here in order to maintain and brush up on the skills required by an air traffic controller, as well as to learn the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control methods.
"They conduct the same training we do here in our air traffic control facility," said Capt. Joseph Turkal, the Station's ATC officer.
Air traffic control consists of two environments: radar and tower. The radar environment controls traffic farther out by reading the electronic signals the aircraft emit. Personnel in the tower environment visually monitor the aircraft and prepare landing sequences for safe separation.
Safety is always a top priority while carrying out the mission of being an air traffic controller since the job involves keeping aircraft in the air from colliding with each other as well as guiding them into a safe landing.
"Their on-the-job training here will further develop mutual understanding between the Marines and JMSDF, as well as the aviation safety of JMSDF pilots here," said Turkal, referring to the JMSDF ATC personnel's ability to assist Japanese pilots in times of language difficulty.
Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ATC personnel arrive on the Station with a basic understanding of English, which is the international language of ATC personnel.
"They usually come in here with a good grasp of English," said Turkal. "They just have to refine it."
With JMSDF tours of duty as long as six years, there is plenty of opportunity for refinement.
Ensuring safety is not the only benefit of the relationship between the Marine air traffic controllers and their JMSDF counterparts that has developed over the years.
Turkal said that the cultural experience from day-in day-out interaction is great, and that the common bond of military life was what particularly brought the services together.
"The exchange in culture is one thing, but the exchange in the militaries and how they work is something they can't get anywhere else," Turkal said. "You really get to understand the difference between the U.S. and a foreign military."
According to Petty Officer 2nd Class Osamu Fujitani, a member of the JMSDF ATC training here, the relationship he has built is something special and unique.
"Sometimes it is stressful because my English is limited," said Osamu. "But I enjoy the cultural interaction between the Americans and JMSDF."
Osamu said one result of his daily interaction has been less stress on the job.
"The Marines are not as serious as the Japanese," said Osamu. "They are optimistic all the time."