JGSDF members, Marine scout snipers share tactics during training

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Cpl. Zachary D. Edwards leads a patrol with Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members during a helicopter-borne insertion rehearsal Feb. 27 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan. Edwards is a scout sniper with Company I (Reinforced), 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.  

HOKKAIDO-DAI MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

02.27.2013

Story by Pfc. Kasey Peacock 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

HOKKAIDO PREFECTURE, Japan - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members and Marine scout snipers conducted a helicopter-borne insertion rehearsal Feb. 27 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan.

The rehearsal was in preparation for helicopter-borne insertions during the comprehensive field training exercise portion of Exercise Forest Light 13-3.

Forest Light is a semiannual bilateral training exercise designed to enhance the partnership between the U.S. and Japan, increase interoperability of forces, and improve individual and unit-level skills.

During the rehearsal, eight Marine scout snipers with Company I (Reinforced), 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program, worked with infantrymen with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armored Division, Northern Army, JGSDF, to learn each other’s tactics and techniques and practice communication skills prior to the comprehensive FTX.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to get to know each other and practice how we will communicate during the field training,” said JGSDF 1st Lt. Soichiro Fuchikama, an infantry officer with the regiment. “We have much we can teach about cold-weather techniques, including the use of skis to maneuver in the snow.”

Marines and JGSDF members gathered for a period of instruction prior to conducting the helicopter insertion training. The service members then moved to a landing zone where they patrolled and took control of the objective.

“We learned a lot about their movements and got to see how well we can work together in a training environment,” said 2nd Lt. Adam T. Wolfe, a platoon commander with Company I (Reinforced). “This was good for both parties involved. My Marines got a chance to get a feel for the cold-weather gear and how it affects their movement, and we were able to learn their tactics for moving in the snow by watching them maneuver. We also learned how they wear their gear and pack for patrols. It was all very effective in preparing us for the comprehensive field training exercise.”

At the end of the patrol, the service members discussed what went well and which areas needed improvement.

“We gathered a lot of good knowledge from the Marines about patrolling, including proper dispersion and how to avoid certain places the enemy will be expecting you,” said Fuchikama.

Communication was not much of an issue despite this being the first time many of the Marines have trained with the JGSDF, according to Sgt. Kyle M. Mihalecz, the scout sniper chief with the company.

“While we have things to work on, the communication was effective, said Mihalecz. “We have very different tactical terms that we need to focus on communicating to each other during the comprehensive field training exercise.”

• Date Taken: 02.27.2013
• Date Posted: 03.18.2013 02:34
• Story ID: 103634
• Location: HOKKAIDO-DAI MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JP