MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Units from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force recently deployed to the Station to participate in Guard and Protect training Nov. 24-26.
The training marked the first time JGSDF has trained aboard a U.S. facility.
According to Maj. Jonathan Foster, Station provost marshal, the Guard and Protect Order is Japanese law and it's Status of Forces Agreement with the United States, which allows for Japan Self Defense Forces to have access to and provide additional security for facilities, including U.S. military facilities, when a significant threat level to people and property is believed to exist. Their mission is to prevent injuries, casualties and damage.
The two-phased exercise first began in Kawakami Ammunition Depot in Higashi-Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture Nov. 19-21 and then moved on to Iwakuni.
The exercise pitted JGSDF service members against various scenarios here in which their directive was to safeguard a particular area of the base while U.S. service members observed. The scenarios varied with each exercise and tested the Japanese service member's quick decision-making ability. The training was not connected to any real-world events and the JGSDF operated under their national chain of command while Iwakuni acted as the training area.
"Since 9/11 bases world wide have been on a heightened alert. Due to this high alert we had to increase security, which in return strained our existing security," said Foster. "Now in accordance with existing guidelines, the JGSDF will help in that endeavor and this exercise was the first step in preparing them with the tools necessary to do so."
Active Shield accomplished that and much more as JGSDF infantrymen ran through training scenarios involving armed intruders breaking into vital facilities aboard the Station as well as rescuing wounded soldiers and identifying suspicious characters, chemical weapons and other possible situations that could threaten the Station.
Although the Japanese service members are standard infantrymen and are not accustomed to training like this, Foster said they performed extremely well.
"I was very impressed with their professionalism, dedication and eagerness to learn," said Foster, who acted as an observer during the exercise. "They really focused in on the skills needed to perform their job."
The exercise was considered a success and plans for future training is in the works.
"The United States and Japanese forces are here to protect Japan. It's one mutual mission and the facilities aboard United States installations are a big part of the defense of Japan and we are pleased to have the JGSDF come on board with us," said Foster.