CNFJ/CNRJ hosts Japanese Ministry of Defense Joint Staff College Senior Officers

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Kristine Volk | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan and Navy Region Japan (CNFJ/CNRJ) Rear Adm. Gregory Fenton, second from right, welcomes Ministry of Defense Joint Staff College (JSC) Commandant Vice Adm. Katsuto Deguchi at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Fenton emphasizes the importance of the bilateral relationship between the Japanese and U.S. Armed Forces as the cornerstone of security and stability in the region during remarks to more than 40 JSC senior officers. CNFJ/CNRJ delivers vital shore readiness capabilities to the U.S. 7th Fleet, fighter and family throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans encompassing six naval shore activities in Japan and the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kristine Volk/Released)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

09.18.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zhiwei Tan 

Commander, Naval Forces Japan

Fenton spoke with JSC Commandant Vice Adm. Katsuto Deguchi and the group of senior Japanese officers about the importance of the bilateral relationship between the Japanese and U.S. Armed Forces as the cornerstone of security and stability in the region.
“We have had a very good, transparent, open exchange of information that has been based on strong ties between the U.S. military and the Jietai [Japanese Self-Defense Force],” said Fenton. “The outpouring of support from the government of Japan and Jietai has been tremendous, and we stand together during challenging times.”
Fenton also shared examples of joint exercises in the South China Sea where combined forces worked side-by-side while showing increased presence in the region. “Japan and the U.S. are global partners on defense and security, sharing a vision for a partnership in which Japan and the U.S. work together for the entire region’s benefit by supporting an open, inclusive rules-based order based on international law,” Fenton added. “Our shared interoperability and integrated operations are more important today than ever.”
While at CFAY, attendees also toured the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and participated in an area operations brief. Event coordinator and Japanese Maritime Self-Dense Force Assistant Chief Liaison Officer Lt. Cmdr. Masato Maruyama received excellent feedback from attendees saying the briefs and tour provided great insight allowing for a better understanding of the U.S. Navy roles and responsibilities in the region. Students also said that they recognized the importance of the joint operations too.
The JSC Special Course is a four-week class designed to educate senior Japanese officers on specific matters in joint operations needed by high level commanders or staff. During the class, participants spend about a quarter of their time taking study tours at Japanese and American bases located throughout Japan.
CNFJ/CNRJ delivers vital shore readiness capabilities to the U.S. 7th Fleet, fighter and family throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its area of responsibility encompasses six naval shore activities in Japan and the Indo-Pacific region: Naval Air Facility Misawa, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Fleet Activities Okinawa and Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean.
For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For more news from Commander, Naval Forces Japan, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnfj/.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2018
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 03:47
• Story ID: 293808
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP