U.S. Marines and Japanese soldiers exchange humanitarian assistance/disaster relief capabilities in Okinawa

Photo By Maj. George McArthur | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force medical personnel provide simulated medical care to role-players during a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief observation and exchange event at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, April 19, 2018. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the JGSDF Service Members conducted the exchange to provide shared overview of capabilities for events from water purification and production, to limited medical care. The 31st MEU completed the event during Certification Exercise, the final evaluation in a series of training exercises which ensures readiness for crisis response throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. George McArthur/Released)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.19.2018

Courtesy Story

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

On April 19 and 20, 2018, the 15th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, conducted a unit exchange program with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The purpose of this study was to enhance interoperability and understanding for how to respond together if a disaster occurs in Okinawa. They studied the procedures for water purification and medical care
with each other, so that they could understand a variety of methods to accomplish HA/DR missions.
During the final day, the soldiers from 15th Brigade demonstrated use of their life saving system equipment to Marines. After that, Marines presented their vehicle capabilities to the 15th Brigade soldiers. Both sets of equipment are usually brought to damaged places if natural disasters occur.
One of the participants, Sergeant First Class Nakasato said, “It was a meaningful unit exchange program to me because, as a medical sergeant, I could study how Corpsmen deal with casualties. Also, I could see the Marines' medical facility and medical equipment through this program.”
(Courtesy Story by JGSDF Sergeant First Class Shiratani Kozue)

• Date Taken: 04.19.2018
• Date Posted: 04.27.2018 03:21
• Story ID: 274543
• Location: OKINAWA, JP