U.S. Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force will join their Japan Ground Self-Defense Force counterparts during the bilateral-training field exercise, Northern Viper, at Hokudaienn and Yausubetsu Training Areas in the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan.
The purpose of Northern Viper is to conduct a bilateral, combined arms exercise and live fire training in conjunction with ground and aviation units by utilizing the favorable training areas of Hokkaido. During this iteration, the combined... read more
U.S. Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force will join their Japan Ground Self-Defense Force counterparts during the bilateral-training field exercise, Northern Viper, at Hokudaienn and Yausubetsu Training Areas in the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan.
The purpose of Northern Viper is to conduct a bilateral, combined arms exercise and live fire training in conjunction with ground and aviation units by utilizing the favorable training areas of Hokkaido. During this iteration, the combined force will focus on winter-combat training, bilateral marksmanship integrated with firepower and maneuver, helicopter training, sniper training, combined arms integration, a Japan and U.S comprehensive bilateral attack, and a Low Altitude Tactics (LAT) insert from MV-22B Osprey. show less
YAUSUBETSU TRAINING AREA, HOKKAIDO, Japan -- A brisk burst of cold wind carried falling snow onto the skin of hundreds of Marines. The sting of the touch forced a Marine to mask his chilled nose. Far from the usual, he inspected the white blanket covering the ground on Yausubetsu Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan. The Marines participated in a regularly scheduled training exercise designed to improve the U.S. and Japan alliance by allowing...