U.S. Army, Pacific, Public Affairs Office

Courtesy Story

CAMP ZAMA, Japan - In the first training deployment for the Japan-based I Corps Forward, the U.S. Army, Pacific and the Japan's Ground Self Defense Force will conduct Yama Sakura 57, a joint command post exercise at Camp Higashi-Chitose, on Hokkaido, Japan, Dec. 8-14.

Yama Sakura, which means "Mountain Cherry Blossom", is an annual, full- spectrum, combined CPX with U.S. and Japanese military forces working to strengthen Japan's self defense operations.

This year, USARPAC's Contingency Command Post and I Corps Forward form the central command and control element for U.S. forces.

The annual exercise rotates among each of JGSDF's five regional armies. This year, the Northern Army will participate. Also a joint exercise for the United States, Yama Sakura combines U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps elements, including Reservists and National Guard forces. Roughly 1,500 U.S. military personnel and 3,500 JGSDF personnel will participate.

Training objectives include exchanging ideas, military experience and techniques with JGSDF; training U.S. ground forces for deployment to Japan; strengthening JGSDF and U.S. capabilities defending Japan; and preparing USARPAC forces for combined, multi-national and joint operations.

On Dec. 7, the opening ceremony and bi-lateral press conference will be conducted by Lt. Gen. Takeshi Sakai, Northern Army commander and Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, USARPAC commander. Media are invited to attend the opening, the press conference and tour the site. Additional media days tentatively are Dec. 9 or 10. Times and dates will be determined.

Control Panel