Forces execute live-fire training during Forest Light

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Marines prepare to fire M240 medium machine guns Feb. 28 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, as part of Exercise Forest Light 13-3. Forest Light is a semiannual, bilateral training exercise that enhances the partnership between the U.S. and Japan, increases interoperability of forces, and improves individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with Company I (Reinforced), 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.  

HOKKAIDO-DAI MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

02.28.2013

Story by Pfc. Kasey Peacock 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

HOKKAIDO PREFECTURE, Japan - Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members displayed their combined efficiency during live-firing of their various weapon systems Feb. 28 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan.

The live-fire was conducted as part of Exercise Forest Light 13-3, 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.

The JGSDF members began their demonstration by showcasing their infantry fighting vehicles’ capabilities. Marines followed with a demonstration of the M41 Saber Improved Target Acquisition System, which fires tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missiles. Live-fire training continued throughout the day, with both services firing their sniper rifles, machine guns and shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapons. The JGSDF concluded the live-fire training by demonstrating the capabilities of its SMAW.

Each force demonstrated its tactics and techniques with various weapon systems as the other looked on and, by the end of the day, both forces had a better understanding of each other’s weapons capabilities, according to JGSDF 1st Lt. Soichiro Fuchikama, an infantry officer with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armored Division, Northern Army, JGSDF.

“We learned that we conduct live-fire training with similar weapons quite differently,” said Fuchikama. “Because of today, we are more capable of working as a team. I was most interested in the way the Marines conducted their machine gun drills.”

The training throughout the day provided the JGSDF members and Marines with the knowledge and experience to maximize effectiveness when employing different weapons, according to Capt. Tyler J. Holt, commanding officer of Company I (Reinforced), 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

“Working together on the ranges today demonstrated our countries’ mutual professionalism,” said Holt. “I thought we were able to communicate effectively today in order to make things run smoothly. We need to continue to challenge ourselves to get better throughout the exercise.”

Prior to firing each weapon system, Marines and JGSDF members explained its capabilities and answered any questions, according to Sgt. Allen R. Heiner, an infantry assaultman with the company.

“This was a great training opportunity for my Marines,” said Heiner. “Not only because of the experience working with another military, but also the cold-weather training we wouldn’t normally get.”

Despite cold temperatures and snowfall throughout the day, both countries remained focused on the importance of the training, according to Holt.

“We had to adapt and overcome from the snowy weather,” said Holt. “We almost had to shut down the machine gun shoot, but the importance of demonstrating our capabilities to our counterparts kept us going.”

• Date Taken: 02.28.2013
• Date Posted: 03.18.2013 02:37
• Story ID: 103635
• Location: HOKKAIDO-DAI MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JP