Photo By Cpl. Thomas Sheng | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew Bigelow, a military working dog handler with Provost...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines and airmen joined forces with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Keen Sword 2023 at Camp Foster from Nov. 10 - Nov. 14.
Keen Sword exercises the combined command and control capabilities and lethality developed between Marine Corps Installations Pacific and the JGSDF. This multilateral field-training demonstrates the U.S. military and JGSDF interoperability and combat readiness of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
“Keen Sword gave us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with our capabilities to find a common ground with the JGSDF,” said U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Brian Prasad, the special reaction team commander with Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “Multilateral training helps us work together in unison in the event of a crisis situation.”
Keen Sword training events that took place on Camp Foster were led by military working dog handlers and SRT Marines with PMO, MCIPAC. During each training event, Marines and the JGSDF exchanged tactics, techniques, and procedures with the goal of working together as a single unit. Eight airmen security guards with 18th Security Forces Squadron, 18th Mission Support Group, 18th Wing, also participated due to the large role that Kadena Air Base plays in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“Keen Sword helps us build cohesion and camaraderie and supports our ability to work together to secure the base,” said Prasad. “During a crisis or emergency, we can call on our allies to reinforce our gates.” Marines and JGSDF underwent multiple training sessions with practical application exercises and a final event to prepare for emergencies in the future. Some of their training included riot control, vehicle searches, baton strikes, self-defense, and apprehension techniques.
Nov. 11, on Camp Foster: Culture Day
Marines hosted a vast competition where the JGSDF experienced different Marine Corps’ fitness tests with a tug of war competition culminating the event.
“I have completed two different training sessions with the U.S. Forces in the past,” said JGSDF Capt. Yasuhito Aratake, company commander of 1st Company, 51st Infantry Regiment. “Our company members really enjoyed this experience, because we don’t always have the opportunity to compete with one another.” The day started with a mock Combat Fitness Test and a tire flipping race. The Marines also incorporated a competition with main staples of the CFT and the Physical Fitness Test, ammunition-can lifts and pullups. To commemorate the Marine Corps’ 247th Birthday, the first team to reach a total of 247 repetitions won the competition. Members with the JGSDF also received the opportunity to experience Marine Corps tradition with a cake cutting ceremony that featured Aratake, the guest of honor, after the competition was over. Marines hold an annual ceremonial ball with their respective units to celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday around the month of November that includes a cake cutting ceremony.
“I commend the Marine Corps’ established history with 247 years of continuous effort and strong will to fight for the protection of their country,” said Aratake. “Keen Sword reinforces joint combat and our responsibility to deter any major threats that our international community might encounter.”
Nov. 12-13, Camp Foster: Gate Response
During this part of Exercise Keen Sword 2023, Marines, airmen, and the JGSDF dove into more advanced techniques. Gate response training encapsulated the Marine Corps’ techniques and methods for vehicle searches, suspect apprehensions, and riot control. Marines implemented the use of flexi cuffs, military working dogs, and an apprehension formation with a secondary officer to show all the necessary tools and procedures that airmen and the JGSDF may need for the future.
“During a situation that requires assembly of a quick reaction force, the JGSDF can assist us with security or hold lines within our ranks,” said Gunnery Sgt. Eduardo Bonilla, the kennel master with PMO, MCIPAC. “The most important thing we are getting out of this QRF training is to build relationships and give the JGSDF knowledge when they give us a helping hand.” All the techniques that were taught are geared toward law enforcement situations. To account for this, the JGSDF showed their techniques for apprehension to teach Marines and find a common ground. After the classroom instruction all participants were given ample time to hone their newly learned skills through practical application.
“One thing we encountered was that the Provost Marshal’s Office is a law enforcement agency, and the JGSDF is a conventional infantry,” said Bonilla. “With two different mission sets, sharing tactics, techniques and procedures helps us maintain readiness.” According to Bonilla, the JGSDF has never had access to riot control training before. All participants received extensive training behind the riot shields to learn commands, formation, and actions. Majority of the training was spent learning maneuvers and working together as a team. Participants also learned corrective actions to fend off aggressors who may try to grab the shields or break through the formation.
“The most unique thing about this exercise is the language barrier,” said Bonilla. “It is one thing to mimic and imitate, but to communicate the small details is hard.” During the exercise the JGSDF learned English commands while interpreters translated for them. Upon hearing the word, they were able to execute the action during riot control practical application.
“The JGSDF showed they are very technical with everything they do,” said Bonilla. “They have an infectious go-getter mentality, and they learned the techniques very quickly.”
In the final event, simulated aggressors created a riot situation. They threw objects and grabbed equipment to break the formation, but after hours of training, all participants were successfully able to hold the line against the aggressors.
Nov. 13, Camp Foster: Multilateral Search
The JGSDF were tasked with clearing rooms and locating simulated threats. Led by the PMO's Special Reaction Team, they learned how to maneuver through rooms with their rifles while being cognizant of any hiding combatants that could be armed. JGSDF members and airmen started with locating weapons in each room they cleared. Later, SRT hid in different areas of the building with unloaded pistols and participants were tasked with searching for them and seizing their weapons using the training techniques learned earlier in the exercise.
“I learned a lot from room entry training,” said JGSDF Staff Sgt. Ito, a squad leader with 51st Infantry Regiment. “We as an infantry can use these tactics and take this training to share it with the rest of our unit.” JGSDF members were able to pick up techniques and procedures quickly. The Marines were able to take a step back and let the JGSDF perform repetitions, only stepping in to provide small adjustments and suggestions to their methods and rifle holding techniques.
“Today’s training is the beginning of building a good relationship between us and the Marines.” said Ito. “I feel very confident to have Marines as our reinforcement and look forward to organizing more advanced training opportunities in the future.”
Nov. 14, Camp Foster: Culminating Event and Closing Ceremony
On this day, all participants combined their knowledge and practice into one final event that included riot control, vehicle searches, and suspect apprehension. The JGSDF ran through a simulated riot event, fending off aggressors who were throwing projectiles at them. They were also tasked with taking suspects out of vehicles and subduing them with techniques they learned earlier in the exercise.
“The Final Training Exercise strengthened our ability to communicate, as well as show different techniques that we have.” said U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Matthew Rentfro, a watch commander with PMO, MCIPAC. “We were shown strengths and weaknesses and we analyzed that to come together as one unified front.” Once the exercise came to an end, all participants moved to the Camp Foster Theater. A ceremony was held to commemorate the efforts of the entire exercise and congratulate all participants for the successful joint training.
“It’s important for Marines to work with the host nation forces at a tactical level, because at any moment’s notice we might encounter a threat, and you never know what may happen,” said Rentfro. “It was a very humbling experience to represent the alliance, the JGSDF are great people to work with and I am glad to be afforded this opportunity to be part of this exercise.”
During the ceremony, the JGSDF and Marines presented awards to each other. The Warrior Spirit Award was given to one Marine and one JGSDF member to recognize their inspirational efforts, exemplary performance, peer motivation, and dedication to accomplishing any task or mission during the exercise.
“We are forward deployed, and at any moment there could be a threat,” said Bonilla. “Working with the JGSDF prepares us for this possibility and strengthens the III Marine Expeditionary Force Alliance.”
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2022 22:45 |
| Story ID: | 433612 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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