Photo By Ismael Ortega | A CHU-Sam missile launches into the air, aimed at an aerial target during a live-fire...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force completed the 51st iteration of their Annual Service Practice, a joint forces training exercise between the Japanese forces and the Unit Training and Certification Division, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security last December.
The 2015 ASP completed the final pair of missile system live-fires on Dec. 6, 2015 and Dec. 11, 2015, finishing off a rotation that began last August and saw weekly rotations of Japanese forces training at McGregor Range, New Mexico.
The ASP is an ongoing effort between the JGSDF and the Army to conduct live-fire training exercises that the Japanese cannot complete at military installations in Japan. The live-fire exercises consist of JGSDF, the equivalent to the U.S. Army, firing teams for both the Homing All the Way Killer (HAWK) and the Chu-SAM missile systems that track, identify, and engage aerial targets that are towed by drone aircraft.
“We are talking about real missiles, they are not trainers,” said Anthony Garcia, chief, HAWK/Chu-SAM Support Branch UTC. “This is actual wartime stock that they are firing.”
Staying true to the “train as you fight” mentality, the JGSDF completes comprehensive exercises including weapons assembly, convoy procedures, full system set-up, camouflage of equipment, the actual live-fire and after action reviews.
“This year we have made challenging exercises for our future…actual and practical exercises in both operational readiness and live-fire,” said JGSDF Col. Hidemaro Ohto, commander, HAWK and Chu-SAM ASP. “I believe that Japanese Air Defense Artillery units have received a lot of lessons learned.”
Over the course of the ASP over 500 JGSDF personnel came through Fort Bliss including contractors and guests of the JGSDF.
“During the ASP training we continue to create a good relationship between Japan and the United States forces, which is very important,” said Col. Shigeyuki Ikeda, commander 4th Antiaircraft Artillery Group, JGSDF. “I’d like to express my appreciation to the United States forces for such great cooperation and support.”
The Japanese forces held a farewell banquet at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center on Fort Bliss Dec. 6, 2015, for collaborative forces and staff, distinguished visitors, host families, and guests of the JGSDF that helped make this year’s ASP a success.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for all your support and cooperation for this year’s ASP exercise,” Ohto said. “Today I would like you to be relaxed with food and drinks and to enjoy conversation with each other.”
In addition to traditional Japanese food and drinks, guests experienced the Japanese culture with craft tables provided by JGSDF Soldiers that included calligraphy and origami, as well as the “kendama,” a traditional Japanese ball and stick toy.
A slideshow chronicled the ASP as well as the many trips taken by various JGSDF Soldiers during their times at Fort Bliss, including visits to the Dallas, Phoenix, New Mexico, California and Las Vegas.
JGSDF Soldiers also put on a martial arts demonstration for guests as well as a short movie the JGSDF made that showed a comedic side of the Japanese military forces.
A year after the semi centennial of the ASP, the relationship between Japanese and American forces evolves and becomes stronger.
“It’s a lot of coordination and trust-building,” Garcia said. “We are here to support their training, we are trying to help them met their objectives.”
Two different forces and two allies coming together, both the JGSDF and UTC look forward to maintaining the working relationship that has been built over the last half century.
“We have already started prepping for next year’s and 2017 ASP,” said Garcia. “And we’ve already touched a little bit on 2018.”
“I look forward to working with the U.S. forces again,” said Ikeda.
| Date Taken: | 01.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2016 18:10 |
| Story ID: | 186432 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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