CAMP NIHONBARA, OKAYAMA PREFECTURE, Japan -- Marines from 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force 8th Infantry Regiment, 13th Brigade exchanged tactics during a day of bilateral training, a central training element of Exercise Forest Light at Camp Nihonbara, Okayama Prefecture, Feb. 22.
“We conducted this bilateral training to go over operations in a mountainous area,” said Capt. Michael E. Ogden, 1/23 Inspector Instructor and native of Bryan, Texas. “Training like this is a good opportunity to compare different tactics, techniques and procedures.”
The Japanese infantrymen gave the first demonstrations of the day, on how to conduct Prisoner of War (POW) searches, patrolling and everyone’s favorite, JGSDF martial arts.
“The Japanese martial artists had clearly practiced their techniques on a regular basis,” said Cpl. Mitsuo R. Satoh, III Marine Expeditionary Force intelligence analyst and native of Manhasset, N.Y. “It was entertaining to watch the demonstration; the Japanese soldiers were really intense and excited when they conducted the demonstration. The JGSDF take their martial arts very seriously.”
There were a lot of similarities between the Marine Corps Martial Art Program and the JGSDF martial arts, many of the basic techniques were the same, remarked Satoh. “My favorite part of the display was the counter to the knife attack, it was very impressive.”
After the Japanese had their turn punching and kicking, the Marines were given a chance to share their tactics.
To maximize training, the JGSDF were split into two different groups. The first group was lectured by Sgt. Noah Hunsaker, mountain warfare instructor and native of Cedaredge, Colo., on how to survive and fight in a cold- weather environment.
“I gave the class to teach them the considerations they must take into account when training and operating in a cold-weather mountainous environment,” added Hunsaker.
During the lecture, Hunsaker stressed weapons considerations in a cold weather environment, field fortifications, defensive positions and weather prediction.
“Basic tactics, techniques and procedures usually remain the same, but have to be modified for cold weather and mountainous terrain,” said Hunsaker.
According to Hunsaker, a large percentage of the earth’s land mass is mountainous, which is a very challenging environment to operate. He also added that it is an absolutely vital skill set needed for an expeditionary force like the Marine Corps.
“Throughout history there has never been a century where someone has not fought in the mountains and in winter,” added Hunsaker. “I would prefer to fight in the Caribbean, but that is not happening; the Banana Wars are over for now. Right now we are fighting in Afghanistan, which is very mountainous and cold.”
While Hunsaker was lecturing on cold weather training, Ogden introduced the second group of JGSDF soldiers to Marine Corps weapons and field gear. Ogden exhibited the M-16A2 Service Rifle, M249 SAW, M203 Grenade Launcher and various other field items Marines use to survive and fight in a combat environment.
“The Japanese were very interested in learning about the Marines Corps’ equipment, comparing their gear with ours and learning about the differences,” added Ogden.
After a long day of training and exchanging of ideas, the Marines and JGSDF soldiers walked away from the training area with more knowledge of how their counterparts conduct business in a tactical environment. Predicting the weather based upon the size of a spider web was just one of the tips JGSDF soldiers took away from Hunsaker’s cold weather training lecture, according to Pvt. Masahiro Matsumoto, 8th Infantry Regiment, 13th Brigade interpreter.
“If you see small spider webs, it means that bad weather is coming within 24 hours,” explained the Wakayama prefecture native.
Phase II of the exercise is scheduled for the latter half of the week and will include a three-day field training exercise in which the JGSDF and the Marines will mutually support each other while conducting attacks on a designated opposing force.
“The JGSDF are very professional, proficient and very disciplined,” said Ogden. “I look forward to working with them in the future.
A exercise is scheduled to conclude with a formal ceremony March 3.