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KAUAI, Hawaii (July 22, 2022) The 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) demonstrated interoperability of surface systems during the second sinking exercise (SINKEX) at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 22.
The collaboration between ground forces is one of many routine events and exercises that continues to strengthen interoperability between treaty allies that share a relationship that spans over 60 years and partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific.
During the SINKEX, the JGSDF launched Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missiles (SSM), while members of the MDTF utilized U.S. Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and exercised short-range Air Defense Artillery (ADA) equipment. For the first time in history, a U.S. National Guard has provided support to RIMPAC participants. The 1/204th ADA Battalion out of Mississippi is also the first National Guard unit to fall under the 1st MDTF.
The combined land forces synchronized the launching of their HIMARS and SSM with partner and allied nations’ air and maritime weapon systems to successfully sink the decommissioned ex-USS Denver (LPD 9) more than 50 nautical miles north of Kauai.
During an Association of the U.S. Army conference, Gen. Charles Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific commanding general, emphasized why land power is vital to the Indo-pacific, “The Army’s Indo-Pacific history reinforces that land power is joint power, and in this dynamic, multifaceted region, food and freshwater security, terrorist activities and the consequences of climate change will be found, fought for and decided on land.”
JGSDF Maj. Gen. Kaida Shigeo, director of G3/7, Ground Staff Office, visited the training site to evaluate the operational capabilities and tactical skills of the teams. Kaida highlighted the importance of collaboration of surface missiles during RIMPAC 2022, “This exercise is a tremendous, valuable opportunity to coordinate and collaborate between Japanese Type-12 SSM and the U.S. Army’s HIMARS to conduct the live fire exercise.”
Brig. Gen. James B. Bartholomees, U.S. Army Pacific, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, accompanied Kaida during the visit and echoed that it was a great opportunity to get out into a major exercise, RIMPAC 2022, in which we have decisive land forces supporting air and sea operations through kinetic and non-kinetic fires and effects.
Since the beginning of July 2022, 133 JGSDF and 110 MDTF Soldiers have been preparing side by side, collaborating in a bilateral coordination cell, exercising command and control, practicing crew drills and conducting rehearsals.
JGSDF Capt. Iwahori Ayamichi, Commander of the 1st Battery, 5th SSM Regiment is responsible for leading the JGSDF SSM crew for fire and control of firing positions. He has experience working with U.S. HIMARS crews from Exercise Orient Shield, a bilateral exercise that develops and refines JGSDF and U.S. efforts in bilateral planning, coordination and interoperability. Iwahori said, “RIMPAC is an opportunity to rehearse the use of our equipment and enhance opportunities for successful fires.”
The use of precision range surface missiles employed in a maritime focused exercise demonstrated the capability of SSM and HIMARS as capable and adaptable enablers in the combined, joint environment, evident by the successful sinking of the ex-USS Denver.
RIMPAC military forces fired upon and sunk the decommissioned ex-USS Denver (LPD 9), July 22, during a SINKEX to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea. SINKEX vessels are put through a certified cleaning process, including removing all environmentally harmful material including trash, floatable material, mercury, fluorocarbon and petroleum. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2022 01:29 |
| Story ID: | 425765 |
| Location: | BARKING SANDS, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 369 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Ground Force Allies collaborate during RIMPAC 2022 SINKEX, by LTC Kymberley Jurado, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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