Rising Thunder rolls over language barrier

Photo By Sgt. Ryan Hallock | Members of the Japan Self-Defense Force get a tour of an Army Stryker armored fighting vehicle at Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center. The U.S. and Japan joined forces at the beginning of September to conduct the annual, bilateral exercise and to continue strengthening their enduring partnership that has existed since 1952. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Ryan Hallock)  

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WA, UNITED STATES

09.22.2014

Story by Sgt. Ryan Hallock 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – A convoy of Japanese tanks lined up at Sgt. Chad Weathers’ fuel point with a backdrop of rolling hills and valleys in the distance at Yakima Training Center Sept. 14.

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force climbed out of their tanks and teamed up with Weathers and Pfc. Deiseree Flores to top off after finishing a combined arms live-fire rehearsal during Operation Rising Thunder.

The language barrier between the two nations didn’t prevent the soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from working effectively with the Japanese soldiers.

Weathers hasn’t used Japanese since high school, more than 12 years ago, but what he remembered was enough to enable communication. “By having just that little bit, it helps out a whole lot for us to understand what we need [to communicate],” said Weathers.

While Weathers and the 2nd SBCT crossed the Cascades to reach YTC, the JGSDF crossed the Pacific Ocean to participate in Operation Rising Thunder and further strengthen the 62-year partnership between the two nations.

It’s an enduring partnership that Capt. Taihei Hongo believes has grown stronger in each of the three years he’s taken part in Rising Thunder. Hongo, a member of the Washington Army National Guard, works as an interpreter during the exercise.

He said from one infantry regiment to another, the language barrier hasn’t deterred cooperation or success. Interpreters boost effectiveness during complex mounted maneuvers, but units are able to work together well without them. “In the end, the mission is going to get done,” Hongo said.

Sergeant Shinsaku Atarashi, an interpreter with the JGSDF, called it an “honor” to translate for his command during his first Rising Thunder experience and his first visit to the U.S.

Atarashi, who studied English for seven years, said members of the JGSDF have been excited and positive about participating in Rising Thunder and training with their American counterparts. Food, on the other hand, initially brought a different reaction.

Prior to the exercise, Atarashi had heard a rumor about the Army’s Meals Ready to Eat that they were actually Meals Rejected by Enemy. After laughing, he explained he actually found them quite delicious after trying the chili with beans.

From the field to the dining facility, Hongo said he’s seen soldiers make the effort to learn Japanese phrases to speak to their counterparts and vice versa. He said some have even given him entire paragraphs to translate so they can express their gratefulness at the end of the exercise.

“It’s not every day that you get to interact with soldiers from another country,” said Hongo. “It’s a great experience.”

Atarashi’s word in Japanese to describe his experience at Rising Thunder is “kizuna” – bond.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2014
• Date Posted: 09.22.2014 17:41
• Story ID: 142922
• Location: YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, WA, US