Photo By Cpl. Darien Wright | Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan - During the week of 11 December 2023, the United States Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on MCAS Iwakuni. Throughout the week, the group completed subject matter expert exchanges on contingency fueling operations, aircraft servicing, cargo preparation, and security. The training focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment and culminated in a complex nighttime joint logistics movement exercise under black-out conditions.
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni regularly hosts joint, bilateral, and combined training events to ensure that the air station is postured and prepared to work hand in hand with its partners and allies when tackling any situation.
The JASDF is currently working to develop their own contingency response group in order to gain the capability to expediently deploy tailored forces and immediately respond to crises. JASDF participation in this training allowed them to better understand the types of operations conducted by the 36th CRG, as well as test their ability to operate various types of specialized logistics equipment, all while strengthening their relationship with U.S. forces.
“These events are important...as it provides us an opportunity to work with our Japanese and USMC partners in the First Island Chain as we train to support the pacing OPLAN should the need arise,” according to U.S. Air Force Capt. Bryan Griswold, the 36th Contingency Response Squadron Assistant Director of Operations and the lead for this training event.
As Pacific Air Force's only Contingency Response Group, the mission of the 36th CRG is to prepare Indo-Pacific Command to rapidly respond to contingencies and establish airbases as directed by the INDOPACOM Commander. Five Squadrons totaling 500 airmen across 52 specialties provide expeditious airbase opening, air advising, force protection, expeditionary communications, and heavy construction capability to the Indo-Pacific theater. The group supports three theater OPLANs and manages a $300M regional training complex in Guam to train and prepare 2,500 Pacific Air Force airmen annually.
Along with the 36th CRG, there was much expertise to be shared by the MCAS Iwakuni H&HS Logistics Department, specifically the Distribution Management Office. DMO is responsible for managing the only Marine Corps operated Air Mobility Command terminal in the Department of Defense, which brings with it a wealth of knowledge about logistical processes and airfield management. This, combined with DMO’s ability to transport anything from missiles to classified materials, helps ensure that the larger joint force is able to carry out any mission imaginable in the Indo-Pacific. This training between JASDF service members, MCAS Iwakuni, and the 36th CRG is just one small example of our interoperability and allied strength at play.
As U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Lecia Foster, a Marine exchange officer assigned to the 36 Contingency Response Squadron states, “Coordinating with and conducting face to face meetings with sister and allied agencies provides the best raw material for us to identify future challenges, create or integrate TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures), and be better prepared for potential contingencies.”
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 01.18.2024 00:09 |
| Story ID: | 460279 |
| Location: | MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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