Missouri National Guard Exchanges Tactics with Japanese soldiers

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with the Missouri Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment, demonstrate a road crossing technique used while threatened by enemy activity. Approximately 200 Missouri National Guard soldiers are spending the first two weeks of November training with Japanese soldiers as the two teams exchange ideas during a bilateral exercise called Orient Shield 11. (Photo by: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mike Chrisman)  

KAMI-FURANO, JAPAN

11.03.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Japan

KAMI-FURANO, Japan - Through rain, sleet and snow, Missouri Army National Guard soldiers shared ideas with their Japanese counterparts on performing various reconnaissance tactics.

“A lot of their standard operating procedures are similar to ours,” said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Gustin of Kansas City, Mo., with the Missouri Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment.

Even with the help of an interpreter, different languages created barriers to sharing military strategies.

“We have to keep the language simple,” Gustin said. “We constantly have to do a check-on-learning to make sure they understand what we are saying.”

For many soldiers with the 138th, the training in northern Japan marks the first time they have traveled out of the United States, let alone worked with coalition forces.

“I have always wanted to come to Japan,” said Pfc. Kenny Walker of Lathrop, Mo., a member of the 138th. “It is an amazing experience to meet new people and understand more about their culture.”

During his first night at Kami-Furano military base, Walker spent roughly two hours talking to a Japanese soldier. The two soldiers exchanged e-mail addresses and hope to get to know each other following the training.

Approximately 400 soldiers from National Guard units in New Hampshire, Illinois, Washington, Nevada and Missouri participated in a two-week training exercise called Orient Shield 11. Half of those soldiers were from the Missouri Army National Guard and the rest were logistical support for the operation.

This was the thirteenth year of Orient Shield, with U.S. and Japanese soldiers strengthening a growing relationship. In 1960, the U.S. and Japan signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, a binding agreement for both countries to support each other from enemy attack.

While the intent of the mission is for the two countries to exchange details on military operations, many soldiers are learning a lot more.

“I love talking to other cultures,” said Spc. Brandon Ilo Ilo, a 138th soldier from Independence, Mo. “It is a great cultural exchange. Many of us do not know a lot about the Japanese culture and language, but they know a lot about us. I love the experience and I am glad to be part of this opportunity.”

• Date Taken: 11.03.2010
• Date Posted: 11.04.2010 07:35
• Story ID: 59395
• Location: KAMI-FURANO, JP