Behind-the-Scenes Soldiers Drive Orient Shield 11

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment, Missouri National Guard, wait in line for dinner chow at the field dining facility at Camp Kami-Furano, Japan, during Orient Shield 11. The exercise is an annual bi-lateral event co-sponsored by United States Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The focus of the exercise is tactical combat, battle staff operations and training at the battalion and regimental level and below. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Rob Fafoglia)  

KUMIFURANO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

11.08.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Japan

KAMI-FURANO, Japan – It has been said that any army runs on two things: beans and bullets. This refers to the food, equipment and other supplies required for an army to function, both in the field and at home station.

Orient Shield 11 is the latest in a series of annual field training exercises co-sponsored by United States Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The focus of the exercise is tactical combat, but the mission as a whole would be impossible without the contributions of the logistical support staff.

This year, Japanese soldiers were joined by approximately 250 members of 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment, Missouri Army National Guard. There are also over 100 additional support personnel from National Guard units and active duty components stationed in Illinois, New Hampshire, Washington, Nevada, California and Japan.

“Support jobs aren’t always glamorous, but they are necessary for the successful completion of any mission”, said Staff Sgt. Otis D. Dickerson, a director of emergency services with the 88th Military Police Detachment, United States Army Japan.

“We’re here to provide law enforcement, safety and security for the Soldiers assigned to Camp Kami-Furano,” said Dickerson, an Omaha, Neb., native. “We do this through joint patrols with the JGSDF MP’s, route reconnaissance to determine weather conditions and road safety, and perimeter checks with the JGSDF MP’s.”

Law enforcement is not the only aspect of logistical support during an exercise such as Orient Shield.

“We offer logistical postal support to the task force,” said Sgt. Manuel A. Angulogomez, a postal sergeant with the 376th Human Resources Company (Postal), 63rd Regional Support Command out of Bell, Calif. “We mail postcards, letters, packages, provide stamped envelopes – basic postal services.”

Angulogomez said he enjoys performing his job during the exercise, although there are differences.

“In the office, we stand behind a desk and all you see is a nametag,” he said. “Here you get more face-to-face time with soldiers. We can educate them on what they can and can’t mail, how to ship things and what is going to work best for their situation. Seeing their reactions and their smiles is a big morale boost.”

Staff Sgt. David E. Ryder, the food services operations non-commissioned officer in charge for the 757th Combat Services Support Battalion out of Las Vegas, said a hot meal is a definite way to raise spirits.

“We maintain the morale of the Soldiers on the ground by providing hot, high-quality meals,” said Ryder. “Plus we get to work with foreign national cooks and interpreters, which is good training.”

Ryder said he could not feed the roughly 400 American service members participating in Orient Shield 11, without the hard work and dedication of his team.

“I couldn’t do it without my cooks,” he said. “Getting up early and working long hours; they’re awesome.”

The mission has been ongoing since 1997, and encourages enduring professional mutual engagements, relationships, good will, and understanding in order to improve and sustain bi-lateral operations and procedures.

Many of the support staff see the mission as a positive experience, for both the travel opportunity and the unique training.

“We appreciate the bi-lateral effort in postal operations,” said Angulogomez. “We get to learn their practices and ways of doing things. It’s very hands-on.”

Dickerson said he not only appreciated opportunity to support the Japanese soldiers, but also enjoyed working with National Guardsmen, which he does not often do.

“It’s not something that happens much on an active duty base,” he said. “We do this every day, so it’s interesting to see what they do outside of the Army. I have to say I’m impressed by the level of training and professionalism.”

• Date Taken: 11.08.2010
• Date Posted: 11.09.2010 05:34
• Story ID: 59711
• Location: KUMIFURANO, HOKKAIDO, JP