Japanese general visits Fort Wainwright, Alaska

Photo By Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy | Northern Warfare Training Center Commander Maj. William Prayner explains the unit's history and how it came to be known as the NWTC to Gen. Tetsuro Yamanoue, chief, Training and Education, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, during a tour of Fort Wainwright’s training sites and resources as part of a budding partnership between U.S. Army Alaska and the Japanese, Sept. 6, 2013. (U.S. Army Alaska photo by Staff Sgt. Trish McMurphy, USARAK Public Affairs)  

FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

09.11.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy 

United States Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - Maj. Gen. Tetsuro Yamanoue, chief Training and Education, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, visited Fort Wainwright and surrounding training sites at the invitation of U.S. Army Alaska, Sept. 5, 2013, as part of a partnership development plan set in motion earlier this year.

According to Lt. Col. Mark Adams, USARAK North operations officer, the partnership between Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and USARAK started at a senior leader engagement visit in Japan by previous USARAK Commander Maj. Gen. Michael X. Garrett.

At that time, Maj. Gen Tetsuro Yamanoue was invited to come view our facilities to explore future training opportunity exchanges.

USARAK Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Shields picked up where Garrett left off, hosting Yamanoue’s visit to Fort Wainwright.

“It was the first time for the general to see the vastness and training opportunities that are here,” said Adams.

“They were amazed not only in the simulations and technological systems that we have but at the number of ranges, size of the ranges and the complexity of several of our sites,” he added.

Yamanoue toured the Mission Training Complex where he and his fellow staff members received hands-on experience on the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer, a high-tech scenario simulator that can be utilized year-round, the Combined Arms and Collective Training Facility at Fort Greely and the Northern Warfare Training Center’s Black Rapids Training Site.

“The Japanese are very interested in partnering with U.S. Army Alaska,” said Deputy USARAK Commander Col. Mark Freitag.

Freitag said there were many similarities between USARAK units and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

“They have a mountain warfare school very similar to our NWTC and they do cold-weather training,” said Freitag. “They (also) have a Stryker-like brigade and an airborne brigade, so there are all kinds of opportunities to partner up with the Japanese.”

“This is an opportunity for (Yamanoue) to see what things we have,” said Freitag. “He has already mentioned an instructor exchange with their Mountain Warfare School and our NWTC.”

According to Freitag, NWTC and 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division commanders are scheduled for similar tours in Japan to explore possible future training opportunities for USARAK soldiers and cadre.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2013
• Date Posted: 09.11.2013 20:52
• Story ID: 113479
• Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, ALASKA, US