Photo By Cpl. Peter Eilen | An M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires a Reduced-Range Practice Rocket...... read more read more
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YAUSUBETSU MANEUVER AREA, Hokkaido, Japan – U.S., Japanese, and Australian forces conducted a field training exercise during Orient Shield, culminating in a bilateral artillery live-fire event, Sept. 22, 2025. The exercise strengthened military ties, increased bilateral combat effectiveness and demonstrated a commitment to supporting regional security.
“If I were to narrow down the purpose of this training, it would be to establish and to cultivate relationships with our allies," said U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. James DeVito, a platoon commander for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. "So that, should the need arise, we are prepared to deploy wherever in the world is necessary in support of combat operations or humanitarian aid.”
At the start of September, the main effort was logistics. U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, arranged for personnel and supplies to be transported from Okinawa to Hokkaido. U.S. Airmen with the 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, supported the transportation of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems via C-130J Super Hercules.
“The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, is a multiple launch rocket system that provides long-range precision fires,” said DeVito. “Our ability to both deploy and employ this system anywhere at a moment's notice is a key element of deterrence against any adversary that may pose a threat to the U.S or its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Upon arrival at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Kenebetsu Air Base in Hokkaido the Marines and Airmen conducted a HIMARS Direct Reload Inside Plane (HIDRIP), a process which involves the aircrew loading ammunition pods directly from the aircraft into the HIMARS. Upon completion, the Marines brought the HIMARS to Yausubetsu Maneuver Area to prepare for the live-fire event.
Before the live fire, Marines and Sailors with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, conducted a bilateral casualty evacuation exercise with JGSDF members. A Marine acted as a simulated casualty while a Navy corpsman administered Tactical Combat Casualty Care. JGSDF members assisted in transporting the Marine out of the training area to the next echelon of care.
The Marines partnered with the JGSDF, as well as personnel from the U.S. Army and the Australian Army, to coordinate and execute the live-fire exercise.
“That is [an] extremely complicated process,” said DeVito. “Even if it were just U.S. Marines involved in it. You gain a lot of perspective when you work with a new partner and work with new people. No matter how many times you look at a problem, even if it's a problem you look at every day, the partner often is going to offer you that new perspective that you need.”
The U.S. Marine Corps HIMARS were set up alongside the JGSDF Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. A loud boom echoed across the range, followed by a stream of smoke jetting across the sky as the two forces took turns sending rounds downrange.
“It has been an absolute privilege to be able to participate in this joint and bilateral exercise,” DeVito said. “Up here in Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, we've built both relationships and efficiencies into our collective warfighting construct. I'm always impressed to see both how capable and dedicated our allies are to our collective defense of the Indo-Pacific region.”
Orient Shield 25 is a large-scale U.S. Army, JGSDF and Australian Army field exercise that focuses on converging U.S. and Japanese operations through bilateral field training and live-fire exercises, enhancing tactical skills and interoperability. During Orient Shield, JGSDF members train alongside service members from U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Army Japan, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, 3rd Marine Division and selected Joint Force service members to strengthen interoperability and readiness between the U.S.-Japan-Australia alliance to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2025 00:31 |
| Story ID: | 550244 |
| Location: | YAUSUBETSU MANEUVER AREA, HOKKAIDO, JP |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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