U.S. and Japan strengthen alliance at Yama Sakura 75

Photo By Sgt. Erica Earl | America’s First Corps and Japan Northern Army surgeons work together during Yama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, Dec. 13, 2018. The two Armies have a mutual medical support agreement. Over the course of the week-long bilateral exercise, the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force are working together in a simulation of the defense of Japan to strengthen the alliance and the capabilities of both countries’ forces. Multiple sections are participating in the exercise, including signal, clerical, legal, medical and intelligence personnel. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Erica Earl  

CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

12.13.2018

Story by Sgt. Erica Earl 

I Corps

CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, Japan-- Throughout the command post at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, Soldiers from America’s First Corps and the Japan Northern Army discuss ideas and strategies, use interpreters and gestures to navigate the language barrier and learn the nuances in the ways each force operates at Yama Sakura 75, Dec. 10-16, 2018.

About 600 Soldiers from the U.S. Army, including I Corps and the Utah National Guard, are working with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force in the week-long, bilateral exercise to increase cohesiveness and deepen the alliance between America and Japan.

The U.S. Army is augmented by the U.S. Marines, Navy and Air Force during the exercise.

Yama Sakura is a simulation of the defense of Japan in which participants practice the skills and requirements needed to deploy to aid with security of the region. Personnel from multiple sections, including intelligence, current and future operations, logistics, medical and legal, are engaged in the exercise.

The annual exercise moves to a different location in Japan each year, allowing the U.S. to work with each of Japan’s five regional Armies.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2018
• Date Posted: 12.13.2018 22:33
• Story ID: 303547
• Location: CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JP