Orient Shield 19 wraps up with final remarks

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Edge | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Viet X. Luong, commander, U.S. Army Japan, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Takashi Motamatsu, commander, JGSDF Western Army, host the closing ceremony for Orient Shield 2019 Sept. 24, 2019, Camp Kengun, Japan. During the ceremony both generals highlighted how the exercise underscores a continued commitment by the United States and Japan to work as dedicated partners in support of the Japan-U.S. security alliance and for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. OS 19 is a premier U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bilateral field training exercise that is meant to increase interoperability by testing and refining multi-domain and cross-domain concepts. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt David Edge, 20th Public Affairs Detachment)  

KUMAMOTO, JAPAN

09.24.2019

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Japan

CAMP KENJUN, Japan-- U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Viet X. Luong, commander, U.S. Army Japan, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen Takashi Motamatsu, commander, JGSDF Western Army, closed out Orient Shield 2019 with their closing ceremony remarks Sept. 24, 2019, Camp Kengun, Japan. OS19 involved members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 4th Division, JGSDF 16th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, Illinois National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan and the 47th Combat Support Hospital.

“The aim of this exercise was to train on conducting mutual cooperation and coordination,” said Motamatsu. “We also seek to improve vital operation capabilities, thus further strengthening the Japan and U.S. alliance.”

Luong then spoke on how the exercise has moved from a battalion level field training exercise to an operational and strategic level FTX.

“We successfully elevated OS from a tactical battalion level FTX to an operational and strategic level exercise, that spanned from the tip of Hokkaido to the Southwest Island of Amani, and involved, for the first time ever, the deployment of the multi-domain task force to Japan,” said Luong. 

OS 19 involved an assortment of high powered weapons systems from both the U.S. military and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces. Some of the equipment that was utilized during the bilateral field training exercise included the U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and Patriot Missile Systems paired with the JGSDF Surface to Ship Missiles, Surface to Air Missiles and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

“OS 19 provided an excellent opportunity for both the U.S. and Japan to showcase strategic and operational capabilities and facilitated real world strategic reach,” said Luong. “Our bilateral accomplishments demonstrated that Japan and the U.S. are committed and will always remain committed to this ironclad alliance.

To conclude the ceremony, Motamatsu spoke on the overall success of OS 19.

“I believe that OS 19 produced successful results and it is a significant milestone of future Japan and U.S. bilateral cross domain operations,” said Motamatsu

• Date Taken: 09.24.2019
• Date Posted: 09.26.2019 01:33
• Story ID: 343249
• Location: KUMAMOTO, JP