Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Airs Station (MCAS) Iwakuni and Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) met for the closing ceremony of Exercise Active Shield, Oct. 30.

Active Shield is an annual bilateral exercise partnering U.S. and Japanese forces, which exercises various elements of the air station’s base defense plan to ensure the station remains able to support the Naval Expeditionary Force-In Readiness and regional commitments to the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

During the exercise, U.S. and Japanese forces trained together across multiple scenarios to hone their interoperability for the protection and defense of MCAS Iwakuni and other assets in the region in order to sustain military operation.

Notable achievements during this exercise include administering the influenza inoculation to more than 90 percent of active duty U.S. service members within a 48 hour period to simulate defense against an epidemic, establishing a forward arming and refueling point on the installation parade field for Japanese and U.S. helicopters, and the rapid restoration and repair of critical infrastructure in response to simulated damage.

During the closing ceremony, Col. Lance Lewis, commanding officer MCAS Iwakuni, addressed a joint formation of U.S. and Japanese troops. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of our alliance and, when I look around, I see the strength of that alliance,” said Lewis. “Our partnership makes us stronger, and I look forward to this training next year.”

For images of the exercise, please visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCAS-I