Exercise Active Shield 2021 concluded after three weeks of military drills and training evolutions at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni and other U.S. installations, Oct. 29.

The conclusion of the exercise was marked by a closing ceremony for Soldiers of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Marines and Sailors from MCAS Iwakuni, including Colonel Lance Lewis, the air station commanding officer, and Major General Yasuyuki Kodama, commanding general of the 13th Brigade.

During the exercise, U.S. and Japanese forces trained together across a variety of scenarios which integrated a range of ground, air, and maritime capabilities in order to practice protecting the air station while maintaining its ability to support contingency operations and allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to the full-scale conduct of the exercise, the air station carried out an emergency evacuation drill of all non-essential personnel to rehearse its response to a natural disaster or other emergency. Residents of the base also received their annual flu vaccine as part of a mass inoculation in response to a simulated chemical threat.

Another collective effort made by residents of the air station was practicing base-wide water rationing measures as the installation’s water supply was temporarily shut off, tested, and then restored. As water restoration procedures were underway, Marines concurrently set up water purification systems to produce and distribute clean water to base residents and JGSDF personnel.

Throughout the duration of the exercise, JGSDF and U.S. personnel continually responded to scenario-based incursions of hypothetical adversaries attempting to infiltrate the base’s perimeter or present other threats to air station personnel. AH-1 Viper and UH-1 aircraft originating from Marine Aircraft Group 36 in Okinawa also took part in threat response training as part of the exercise.

As a culminating event for the exercise, Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 conducted overnight repairs to damage on a simulated runway, while a combined force of JGSDF soldiers and U.S. Marines and sailors provided perimeter defense against an active enemy force. Once the emergency repairs were completed, the air station demonstrated the ability to launch F-35Bs via a short takeoff, utilizing a fraction of the MCAS Iwakuni runway.

“Our strength, resolve, and commitment to our allies and partners in the region is unquestioned,” said Lewis. “Through our partnership, we deter potential adversaries from ever testing our capabilities or relationships.”

“Through this exercise, we made it clear that there is no single JGSDF soldier lacking its will to guard the nation,” said Kodama.

For images of the exercise, please visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ActiveShield21