US and Japanese forces share marksmanship skills during Orient Shield 14

Photo By Frank A Cagnina | Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fire at moving targets with a 5.56mm rifle and 9mm pistol during close quarter marksmanship training, here Oct. 24. Close quarters marksmanship pairs soldiers together to train in a live fire exercise in a confined space. CQM is a key fighting skill, though it may seem easier as the distance is shorter there are a number of other factors that must be considered for success in this type of engagement. Members of the JGSDF put on a demonstration for their U.S. Army counterparts to showcase their weapon and movement skills during Orient Shield 14. Orient Shield 14 brings together the 2nd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. from JBLM and JGSDF members from the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armor Division, Northern Army for combined light infantry, squad-level and urban assault training  

CAMP CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

10.24.2014

Courtesy Story

138th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Frank Cagnina, New York Army National Guard

CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, Japan –Sharing combat skills helped to close the gap between U.S. Army Soldiers and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during a close quarters marksmanship exercise, here Oct. 24.

Members of the JGSDF invited approximately 30 U.S. Army Infantry Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. to observe the training and familiarize U.S. Soldiers with Japanese weapons and protective gear prior to the beginning of Orient Shield 14.

Orient Shield 14 brings together the 2nd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. from JBLM and JGSDF members from the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armor Division, Northern Army for combined light infantry, squad-level and urban assault training. OS14 is an annual bilateral field and staff training exercise, co-hosted by the JGSDF and U.S. Army Japan, Oct. 27 – Nov. 7.

Close quarters marksmanship or CQM pairs infantryman together, performing rapid live-fire maneuvers in a confined space. Soldiers must remain focused on the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and firing skills such as aiming, breathing control, trigger squeeze and moving to a target engagement, all while remaining mindful of where their partner is. All of this takes place in a confined space a short distance from their target and requires rapid reflexes.

“I was very impressed with their accuracy out on the range,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Carson Hitchens, an Infantryman with Co. C., 1st Bn., 17th Inf. Reg., 2nd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. from JBLM.

“They [JGSDF] were pretty spot on with every target,” said Hitchens.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2014
• Date Posted: 10.25.2014 04:57
• Story ID: 146054
• Location: CAMP CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JP