North Wind 26 Strengthens U.S.–Japan Interoperability Through Joint Winter Training

Photo By Spc. Michelle Mayancela | U.S. Army Spc. Tru Ulman, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division receives instructions before their ski competition with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Canadian Army during North Wind 26 at Camp Makomanai in Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 27, 2026. North Wind is a bilateral U.S. Army Japan and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force winter field training exercise in Hokkaido, Japan—running from Jan. 20–Feb. 3—focused on enhancing bilateral tactics, techniques and procedures for extreme cold-weather conditions and enhancing interoperability and readiness between U.S. and Japanese forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. John Russell)  

JAPAN

01.27.2025

Story by Spc. Michelle Mayancela 

U.S. Army Japan

CAMP MAKOMANAI, Japan – Rain or shine, sleet or snow, U.S. Army training continues. Operating in diverse environments is essential to maintaining interoperability and Soldier readiness, and that is exactly what the 11th Airborne Division is doing at Camp Makomanai in Hokkaido, Japan.

Often referred to as the “Arctic Angels,” the 11th Airborne Division is engaged in North Wind 26, a joint winter field exercise between U.S. Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The exercise focuses on refining techniques and procedures required to operate effectively in extreme cold-weather conditions.

“It’s very pleasant. The Japanese give us a lot of opportunities to explore their battlegrounds,” said U.S. Army Spc. Tru Ulman.

Ulman, a paratrooper assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, began his North Wind 26 experience with a mass tactical airborne operation alongside his fellow paratroopers.

Over the past several days, the Arctic Angels have conducted multiple training events at Camp Makomanai, Camp Okadama, and Hokudai-en, including fire support operations, hot and cold helicopter loading, squad movement drills, radio signaling, and other essential cold-weather training activities. Throughout these exercises, paratroopers have also exchanged techniques and lessons with their JGSDF counterparts.

“We’ve done a lot of training with them, and they’ve shown us a lot of stuff that we can implement within our Army,” said Ulman.

Beyond tactical drills, North Wind 26 emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining strong partnerships with the JGSDF. Team-building activities play an integral role in strengthening trust and esprit de corps between U.S. Army Soldiers and JGSDF members.

The North Wind 26 ski competition was one such event, pitting members from both forces in a friendly relay-style race. Prior to the competition, JGSDF members provided ski lessons, and participants were combined into multinational teams.

“The Japanese are really good at skiing. They have a lot of training,” said Ulman.

This training exercise serves a broader purpose: enhancing Soldier readiness, maintaining interoperability, and reinforcing the alliance between the U.S. and Japan.

“We’re having a great time here at North Wind,” said Ulman.

Story by U.S. Army Spc. Michelle Mayancela

• Date Taken: 01.27.2025
• Date Posted: 02.23.2026 00:00
• Story ID: 557247
• Location: JP