Bilateral antiterrorism training held at Camp Zama, Sagami General Depot

Photos and story by Tetsuo Nakahara
Torii Staff

Members of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force's 4th Engineer Group inspect a vehicle in the parking of Yano Fitness Center during a bilateral antiterrorism field training exercise held Feb. 23 through Thursday at Camp Zama and Sagami General Depot. More than 160 members of the JGSDF participated the training.

CAMP ZAMA - More than 160 members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force took part in a multi-day force protection field training exercise with U.S. Army Japan Soldiers at Camp Zama and Sagami General Depot Feb. 23 through Friday.

The JGSDF members, primarily from the JGSDF's 4th and 5th Engineer Groups, and U.S. Soldiers went through countless training scenarios during the annual antiterrorism exercise that instilled the critical skills necessary to keep installations safe from terrorist attacks.

"The primary objective is to improve our capabilities to jointly protect installations," said Rich Marsh, emergency manager for U.S. Army Garrison Japan Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.

This was the third annual bilateral antiterrorism exercise between USARJ and the JGSDF. The exercise is tied directly to USARJ's mission of bilateral relations, and it contributes to USAG-J's goals of protecting critical assets and the safety of community members, Marsh said.

Six Soldiers from the 88th Military Police Detachment of USARJ provided a series of classes to JGSDF personnel that covered a wide variety of subjects, including access control point operations, perimeter surveillance and reporting, and facility security. The members took part in numerous hands-on training evaluations, including vehicle search procedures.

"It's a great opportunity any time we can come together with JGSDF members," said Staff Sgt. Adam Prouty, a traffic noncommissioned officer for the 88th MP Bn. "Our two nations work well together and we can learn from each other."

The JGSDF has continued to improve its antiterrorism and force protection programs since the Sept. 11 attacks, and the Japan Self Defense Forces strive to maintain a high level of vigilance, said 1st Lt. Naoki Kondo of the 363rd Engineer Company.

"This exercise is important because it tests how we can actually carry out our mission and to point out any problems so we can work on them," Kondo said. "Through this exercise, we can improve so many points. For example, this exercise can help in streamlining the U.S.-Japan coordination procedures for security and antiterrorism issues. We strongly believe that we can achieve our goals by working with the U.S. Forces and maintaining our strong friendship."