Photo By Lance Cpl. Peter Sanders | Commissioned officers and senior enlisted service members with the Japan Maritime...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan - Senior leadership with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force met with III Marine Expeditionary Force leaders July 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. The one-day, semiannual visit by the JMSDF Command and Staff College students included a question-and-answer-style briefing and a static display of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
Gatherings such as this one afford JMSDF commanders a valuable opportunity to learn how the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Air Ground Task Force operates in a variety of situations, according to JMSDF Capt. Hiroyuki Terada, the senior instructor with the JMSDF Command and Staff College.
“I appreciate any opportunity to learn how someone employs different elements of command,” said Terada. “The Marines have been doing this for years, making them a very important source of information.”
The exchange ranged from textbook examples to tangible scenarios, according to Yumi Hatori, foreign liaison with Headquarters, Southwestern Composite Air Division, Naha Air Base, Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
“(We) discussed command fluidity and operability between commands and units,” said Yumi. “Real-world situations involve a number of different parts, and even military branches, working together for a common goal. In practice, it’s a huge undertaking.”
In addition to troubleshooting potential issues between branches, discussing and improving interoperability between military forces extends beyond the individual countries, according to Yumi.
“The cooperation between each command and unit most certainly applies to other countries,” said Yumi. “Knowing how to employ different units from different countries means a much stronger force, whatever the situation, helping an area in need, or showing fighting strength.”
After finishing the classes, the service members moved to the Futenma flight line to view a static display of an Osprey. The display included an informative briefing by Capt. Robin D. Brewer, an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 Reinforced Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.
The lessons helped attendees to better understand the aircraft and some of its capabilities, according to Brewer.
“I’m glad the JMSDF service members were able to learn more about our aircraft,” said Brewer, a Tallahassee, Florida, native. “If (the Japan Self-Defense Force) purchases one or more Ospreys, they’ll need to have an idea of how it works, and what it can do.”
The service members valued what may have been the first tangible exposure to the aircraft, according to Terada.
“Even though (the JMSDF) visits the air station twice a year, this is the first time I’ve been able to see an Osprey up close and personal,” said Terada. “It’s most assuredly different and better to see it in person.”
Recent exercises and operations have not only served to showcase the aircraft to the public, but have also demonstrated the integral part it can play in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations through its ability to bring much needed food and supplies to areas that more traditional aircraft are unable to land.
In addition to the classes, exercises and operations that take place throughout the year, U.S. service members ensure they also take time to strengthen the relationship with Okinawa and its residents, according to Brewer.
“We’re doing our part to keep the relationship (with Okinawa) fruitful,” said Brewer. “We try to always be good neighbors through remaining considerate of the surrounding community when planning flight operations and patterns. With the Osprey, specifically, we’ve made sure we understand the community’s wishes and concerns, and we follow them as best we can.”
The visit to the air station in Okinawa left a positive, lasting impression on everyone involved, according to Yumi.
“Not only was this a great way to share wisdom, this was a good time to meet people and make connections,” said Yumi.
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2014 02:48 |
| Story ID: | 137501 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | ENDICOTT, NY, US |
| Hometown: | TALLAHASSEE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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