10 graduate from bilateral Cooperative Work Program class 74

Photo By Kevin Krejcarek | The 10 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members attending the Cooperative Work Group class 74 at Camp Zama, Japan, take a final group photo with their mentors and administrators Dec. 12 before returning to their home units after the intense 12-weeks bilateral program. (Photo by Kevin Krejcarek)  

CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

12.12.2014

Story by Kevin Krejcarek 

U.S. Army Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Ten Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members from units throughout the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force completed intense bilateral training here today as Cooperative Work Program class 74 graduates.

The Co-Op program is 12 weeks of immersion for JGSDF members working side-by-side with U.S. Army and Air Force military members here. It is hosted in cooperation between U.S. Army Japan and Ground Staff Office.

The training not only provides background on how their skills meld into the bilateral Japan-U.S. alliance, but also learned about interoperability between our two countries and how U.S. military service members do their jobs. This program also afforded them the chance to practice and improve their English.

The members of Co-Op Class 74 were:
2nd Lt. Takayuki Matsukawa from Middle Army’s Camp Senzo
Sgt. 1st Class Hiroaki Matsuya from Northern Army’s Camp Makomanai
Sgt. 1st Class Keiji Kamata from Eastern Army Camp Kisarazu
Sgt. 1st Class Kazuhiro Misumi from Middle Army’s Camp Yonago
Sgt. Tomoyoshi Otsuka from Middle Army’s Camp Yonago
Sgt. Satoshi Kuramoto from North Army’s Camp Kitaeniwa
Sgt. Tetsuro Kawamoto from Western Army’s Camp Naha
Sgt. Yoshitomo Kotake from Northern Army’s Camp Sapporo
Sgt. Yusuke Haraguchi from Western Army’s Camp Takemats
Sgt. Masatoshi Noto from Middle Army’s Camp Itami

On Dec. 2, the 10 graduates were honored at a farewell luncheon hosted by Maj. Gen. James C. Boozer Sr., commanding general of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward), where they were presented a certificate of course completion and the general’s coin by the general with assistance from Command Sgt. Maj. RosalbaDumont-Carrion, U.S. Army Garrison Japan.

Also attending to honor the graduates were JGSDF and Ground Staff Office officers; Warrant Officer Yoshiaki Suzuki, command sergeant major of the JGSDF; members from the Ground Staff Office; as well as U.S. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailor mentors and friends from the Camp Zama community.

This bilateral program started in 1995 with four 12-week classes annually.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2014
• Date Posted: 12.11.2014 22:02
• Story ID: 150121
• Location: CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP