MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Aviation training relocation at Misawa officially commenced here July 25 as F/A-18s with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 landed here.
The exercise is a week-long, joint bilateral exercise demonstrating joint capabilities, and improving interoperability between the United States and Japan.
To keep VMFA(AW)-533 in the air, Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 have come along to aid the squadron’s efforts.
The exercise will provide VMFA(AW)-533 pilots the opportunity to conduct critical bilateral training, including tactical navigation training, air-combat training, dissimilar-air- combat training, combined-arms training, interception training and interdiction training.
“We’re just trying to get everyone more proficient with air-toair training,” said Capt. Michael Raiff, VMFA(AW)-533 director of safety and standardization.
Training relocation as part of the U.S. Realignment Plan is designed to improve the interoperability among the Japanese Self-Defense Force and U.S. forces, while decreasing the effects of U.S. forces’ training activities at various stations.
The exercise will focus on operational readiness and bilateral interoperability tactics, equipment and logistical support. Marines will also train with Japanese forces in conflict response.
This bilateral training affords the Marine Corps and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force the opportunity to enhance operational coordination and improve capabilities as a bilateral force in the event of a contingency.
“It’s a great chance for us to do training with a foreign country,” said Raiff.
With shared information and technology, the JASDF and Marine Corps’ capability to operate together for the defense of Japan and stability in the region improves exponentially. The Marines will also benefit from being able to practice the deployment of personnel and aircraft to other locations.
After the first exercise, Raiff said training with the JASDF was a great experience and they all learned a lot from the training. Training relocation demonstrates U.S. forces’ commitment to peace and stability in the pacific region. This type of training fosters strong relationships between U.S. and Japanese forces and increases capabilities of supporting commitments to the U.S.-Japan security alliance.