Airborne 23 is a large-scale airborne exercise integrating air and ground forces from Japan and the United States.
The exercise integrates C-130J aircraft assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, to carry approximately 300 Japan Ground-Self Defense paratroopers to drop zones at Higashifuji training field. The exercise also includes nighttime airdrops of more than 100 bundles built by service members from both nations,... read more
Airborne 23 is a large-scale airborne exercise integrating air and ground forces from Japan and the United States.
The exercise integrates C-130J aircraft assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, to carry approximately 300 Japan Ground-Self Defense paratroopers to drop zones at Higashifuji training field. The exercise also includes nighttime airdrops of more than 100 bundles built by service members from both nations, marking the first time the U.S. and Japan have worked together to build bundles in support of this event.
The purpose of this operation is to demonstrate the JGSDF’s capability to employ large-scale airborne insertion and provide an opportunity for U.S. and Japanese forces to integrate operations and enhance interoperability. show less