CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, Japan-- American and Japanese flags hung together from the ceiling as Soldiers from America’s First Corps and the Japan Northern Army celebrated the end of a successful exercise at Yama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, Dec. 16, 2018.
Yama Sakura, which translates to mountain cherry blossom, is an annual, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force that simulates the defense of Japan.
From Dec. 10-16, the forces, augmented by the Utah National Guard and the U.S. Marines, Navy and Air Force, worked long hours together in the ice and snow to strengthen their alliance and share military expertise, tactics, ideas and culture.
Over the course of the week, about 600 U.S. personnel and 4,600 Japanese personnel from various disciplines, including signal, clerical, legal, medical and intelligence personnel, partnered to practice and improve capabilities in the event of the U.S. deploying to aid in the security of the region.
In addition to the American and Japanese Armies, the Australian army, including Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific North, Australian army Maj. Gen. Roger Noble, observed the exercise.
The exercise say many distinguished visitors, including the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador William Hagerty, U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General, Gen. Robert Brown, and the Japan Minister of Defense, Takeshi Iwaya.
The exercise concluded with a closing ceremony hosted by America’s First Corps Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, and the Japan Northern Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Masato Taura.
Volesky thanked the Japan Northern Army, Taura, U.S. Army JapanCommanding General, Maj. General Viet Xuang Luong, and all of Camp Higashi-Chitose for working alongside I Corps in the exercise.
“Your teams’ work did not go unnoticed and was instrumental in allowing both the Northern Army and America’s First Corp to accomplish our training objectives of building our interoperability and strengthening our relationships,” Volesky said.
After the official closing ceremony, Volesky and Taura presented plaques and coins to individuals and units who helped make Yama Sakura 75 a success.
The generals also hosted a social to exchange food and culture and commemorate the partnership between the two Armies. The Japan Northern Army Band played American and Japanese rock classics as well as the Army Song.
Yama Sakura rotates to a different part of Japan each year to give the U.S. the opportunity to partner with each of Japan’s five regional Armies.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2019 16:18 |
| Story ID: | 303827 |
| Location: | CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JP |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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