MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Japanese Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe, the vice chief of the joint staff with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, received an inside look at the MV-22B Osprey aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., June 18.
As part of the Dawn Blitz 2013 initiative between the United States, Japan and other allies, the Japanese general paid a visit to the air station to become more familiar with the versatile aircraft.
“[The lieutenant general] was very intelligent and receptive to the information we presented him with today,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Harms, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 commanding officer, and tour guide for the air station’s visitors. “He really wanted to learn about this aircraft.”
During his tour of the installation, Isobe visited simulators for the Osprey. He and his aides took turns behind the controls of the practice craft Marines use to train.
The group from Japan seemed very excited to receive this opportunity. However, the fun didn’t stop there.
“You can talk about the abilities of this aircraft all day and you can even fly a simulator, but you might not truly understand what this aircraft can do until you are actually in one,” said Harms.
Harms offered information and answered Isobe’s questions about the Osprey during the tour, and felt a great deal of pride in the job.
“It’s an honor for me to be a part of this,” said Harms. “I really appreciate the opportunity to work with these men and sharing my knowledge with them.”
After their visit to the air station, Isobe and his aides will return to Japan with a better understanding of the MV-22B’s capabilities and having fostered better understanding about the Marine Corps’ capabilities as America’s force in readiness.