JGSDF members, Marines conclude Exercise Forest Light 13-3

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Lt. Col. James A. Ryans, left center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Naoki Yamane, right center, exchange gifts March 6 during the closing ceremony for Exercise Forest Light 13-3 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan. During the closing ceremony, both forces gathered and heard words of reflection from their commanders about knowledge gained and relationships built during the exercise. Yamane is the commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armored Division, Northern Army, JGSDF. Ryans is the commanding officer of 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

03.06.2013

Story by Pfc. Kasey Peacock 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members and Marines gathered for the closing ceremony of Exercise Forest Light 13-3 March 6 at the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan.

The bilateral training exercise was conducted Feb. 28 to March 6 by the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armored Division, Northern Army, JGSDF, and 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.

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.

“Through this training I have witnessed relationships built between our countries’ forces and believe that this exercise has made our alliance much stronger,” said JGSDF Col. Naoki Yamane, the commanding officer, 11th Infantry Regiment. “Aside from the bilateral training, it was also great to see the personal relationships built throughout the exercise.”

The exercise consisted of a command post exercise and field training events, including ski-marching, machine gun live-fire ranges and helicopter-borne operations.

The exercise culminated with a comprehensive bilateral field training exercise at the same time a powerful blizzard swept across Hokkaido prefecture, according to Yamane.

“Watching the Marines and JGSDF working through the blizzard that struck during the training shows that we are capable of working together in any situation,” said Yamane.

During the closing ceremony, both forces gathered and heard words of reflection from their commanders about knowledge gained and relationships built during the exercise.

“Not only did we met all of our expectations going into this exercise, we exceeded them,” said Lt. Col. James A. Ryans, the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. “We learned about tactics and operations in extreme weather conditions and, even more importantly, I think we shared in friendships that will last for a long time.”

Marines were also given the opportunity to experience some of the culture Hokkaido has to offer during home visits and tours of cities near the maneuver area.

“The professional performance of the 11th Infantry Regiment and the hospitality we received are experiences we will never forget,” said Ryans.

The benefit of the bilateral training was a humbling experience for the Marines, according to Capt. Capt. Tyler J. Holt, the commanding officer of Company I.

“We would never have an opportunity like this at Camp Lejeune,” said Holt. “Working with another country’s forces and doing cold-weather training has been a unique opportunity for us.”

• Date Taken: 03.06.2013
• Date Posted: 03.18.2013 01:42
• Story ID: 103630
• Location: HOKKAIDO-DAI MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JP