Training how you fight

Photo By Senior Airman Nick Emerick | 1-1 Air Defense Artillery battalion and 18th Wing members load equipment into the back of a C-17 Globemaster III during a training exercise, May 18, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. 1-1 ADA members hosted JGSDF and members of the 18th Wing, demonstrating CBRN decontamination practices on the Patriot missile system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nick Emerick)  

KADENA , OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.18.2017

Story by Senior Airman Nick Emerick 

18th Wing

“This training is important because if you look at how modern warfare has shifted, conventional warfare involving infantry has shifted more towards artillery and CBRN,” said 2nd Lt. Matthew Li 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion CBRN defense officer in charge, “By covering our defense capabilities we are better prepared to serve Japan, the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.”
The different services demonstrated techniques for decontamination, detection and operating in a contaminated environment according to their own operating instructions, both teaching and learning to better understand and accomplish the mission.
“They never really have a chance to operate anything that isn’t theirs. By doing these exchanges we not only get to see what they have to offer, but learn about how they conduct themselves,” said Li.
According to Tech. Sgt. Karen Hubley, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron NCOIC of emergency management operations, the biggest benefits for working together is seeing how counterparts operate, learning ways to improve operations.
Mitigating language and culture differences with prior planning and translators was imperative in the coordination of this event, with the central theme of sharing information with our allies and counterparts.
“One of the strongest points of working with bilateral and joint partners is developing the sense of shared understanding of what we can do together in a real-world situation,” said Li. “My favorite part of the training was developing understanding of our bilateral and joint partners capabilities.”
Hubley stated that training opportunities such as these are important not only for younger military members, but also those who occupy leadership roles thanks to the opportunities to learn and improve not only as a separate unit but in a joint environment.
“I can foresee this type of training evolving into all of us operating a joint decontamination line together, and also having more of an overall joint and bilateral CBRN exercise take place with JGSDF, USAF and U.S. Army all participating at once,” said Li.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2017
• Date Posted: 06.08.2017 00:41
• Story ID: 236800
• Location: KADENA , OKINAWA, JP