Video by Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, Kentucky National Guard 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ITAMI, Japan — U.S. Army Pacific and Japan Ground Self Defense Force train together for this year’s Yama Sakura 61 at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan. (video by Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, Kentucky National Guard 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Story by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Yama Sakura 61 begins with an opening ceremony for the U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Jan. 30. (Photo by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
OSAKA, Japan –U.S. Army Soldiers and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force members participated in the 2012 Yama Sakura 61 exercise at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 23 – Feb. 6.
Yama Sakura is an annual, simulation computer driven joint-bilateral exercise between the JGSDF from Middle Army and the U.S. Army Pacific.
This exercise is designed to strengthen military operations between the two forces at the operational level and aid in the defense of Japan. YS61 builds a working relationship between both countries and provides a platform to learn the different work ethics.
Participating in the Yama Sakura exercises proved to be a valuable tool during the relief efforts of March 2011 Northern Japan’s earthquake and tsunami.
“Working together enabled us to seemingly come together and work hard to support the JGSDF. I think that paid great dividence to the Japanese people,” said Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, Commander for the U.S. Army Pacific.
YS 61 is the first iteration since the March 11 Northern Japan disaster.
“This is an extremely important exercise,” said Maj. Miranda Killingsworth, Civil Affairs Planner for the U.S. Army Pacific Contingency Command Post. “It not only builds a relationship and understanding with our Japanese counterparts, it also reassures the Japanese and American people that there is a relationship between our two nations.”
Cultural events were offered to members participating in this iteration of YS61. Participants visited historical sites to include Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, Todai temple and the Osaka Castle. Visits to homes of JGSDF members were also offered to U.S. military personnel.
“I enjoyed visiting the Kiyomizu Temple,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Oliver, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment senior non-commissioned officer. “It was my first time getting out and enjoying the scenery and it taught me a lot about the Japanese culture.”
Along with getting to view the Japanese cultural sites, U.S. service members were able to bond with their Japanese counterparts at Camp Itami’s Friendship Hall.
Maj. Miranda Killingsworth, Civil Affairs Planner with U.S. Army Pacific Contingency Command Post, works on an operational chart during Yama Sakura 61 at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
“YS 61 gave me an opportunity to talk to and get to know new people and see the Japanese culture,” said Spc. Vinson Williams, Geospatial Engineer with the 34thInfantry Division, Minnesota National Guard.
The exercise officially started with an opening ceremony and a bilateral press conference in which U.S. Army Pacific Commander, Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski and Middle Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Ryuichiro Arakawa addressed both troops and media.
“I know one thing about this exercise and that is we will make mistakes and that’s a very good thing because if we make the mistakes here and we make the corrections here we won’t make them when it counts,” said Wiercinski.
The primary units that participated the YS61 exercise are U.S. Army Japn, 8th Army, and the JGSDF’s Middle Army. U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine and for the first time, the Australian Defense Force are observing are also joining the exercise to include National Guard and Reserve units.
Yama Sakura 63 is slated for Dec. 2012 with the Northeast Army of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.
Story by Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
l U.S. Service Members join the Okamoto family for a home visit during Yama Sakura 61 in Osaka Japan, Jan. 29th. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
CAMP ITAMI, Japan — “Kompai!” yelled the group as they toasted in the home of Maj. Yasuo Okamoto. The night was a celebration for Okamoto and his wife, Mika, because they had four U.S. Soldiers participating in the Yama Sakura exercise from Camp Itami eating, drinking and being merry in their living room.
As a tradition of the Yama Sakura exercise, U.S. Army Japan Soldiers participated in a home visit to the household of Maj. Yasuo Okamoto, Chief of Security for Middle Army’s Japan Ground Self Defense Force in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 29.
More than 90 selected Soldiers were chosen to go to 32 homes of JGSDF members. U.S Service Members shared traditional Japanese meals, which made life-changing experiences.
“I wasn’t aware of the Japanese customs like taking off shoes and putting on slippers,” said Master Sgt. Cornelius Kenan of the U.S. Army Pacific’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. “I was fairly new to using chopsticks but with practice, I’m getting better.”
“The food was delicious,” said Capt. William Johnson of U.S. Army Pacific Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “Everything we ate was amazing. They fixed a wide variety of food like spring rolls, egg rolls, katsu, along with a casserole and pizza.”
Military Personnel enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine during a visit to the home of Maj. Yasuo Okamoto of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Jan. 29th. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The Soldiers exchanged gifts with the family, drew calligraphy, made origami, took turns playing with a kendama, a traditional Japanese toy, and told stories. Okamoto was lively and upbeat throughout the night. At the end of the evening he, with the help of an interpreter, addressed the group.
“Yesterday I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to provide proper hospitality because of the language barrier but now I realize we can communicate just fine by using heart,” said Okamoto.
The Soldiers noticed more than Okamoto’s heart. They realized they learned more about the Japanese culture than they had thought.
“Japanese people are laid back, their customs are a lot different then ours, but in the end they are just like us,” said Kenan.
At the end of the evening some of the Soldiers invited the Okamoto’s family to visit them in Hawaii. They took off their slippers, put on their boots, and went back to Camp Itami.
“I would love to invite a Japanese service member to my home. I want to give them the same experience that they gave us,” said Johnson.
Video by Spc. Joshua Bennett, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ITAMI, Japan — Kentucky Guardsmen from the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment support this year’s Yama Sakura exercise at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan. The Service Members include Sgt. 1st Michael Oliver, Staff Sgt. Fredrick Varney, Staff Sgt. Rebecca Wood, Spc. Joshua Bennett and Spc. Brandy Mort.
Story by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky National Guard
CAMP ITAMI, Japan –-Yama Sakura 61, an annual bilateral exercise with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and U.S. Army Pacific officially began, Jan. 30, at Camp Itami, Japan.
Yama Sakura 61 initiates with an opening ceremony with the U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Jan. 30. (National Guard Photo by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
U.S. military members and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members are afforded the opportunity to exchange ideas, tactics, techniques, and military experiences in order to ensure the defense of Japan and support security interests in the region.
U.S. Army Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski and Middle Army Commander of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Ryuichiro Arakawa shake hands during the bilateral press conference Yama Sakura 61 Jan. 30. (National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Objectives of Yama Sakura 61 include training U.S. ground forces for deployment to Japan in the event of contingencies, as well as exercising joint capabilities in the defense of Japan.
Since 1982, Yama Sakura has focused on the development and refinement of the JGSDF and U.S. Army Pacific’s efforts in the areas of bilateral planning, coordination and interoperability through training.
During the opening ceremony, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Middle Army Commander Lt. Gen. Ryuichiro Arakawa, both stressed the importance of the annual bilateral exercise.
“Yama Sakura is a premier exercise for U.S. Army Pacific,” said Wiercinski. “Every year we improve our strong bi-lateral partnerships and this year is no exception.”
Arakawa said Yama Sakura 61 is the largest exercise where the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and U.S. Army Pacific can train their mutual coordination through bilateral command and staff activities.
“Yama Sakura is the first bilateral Army Command Post Exercise after the Great East Japan Earthquake,” said Arakawa. “We closely cooperated with the U.S. military through such command post activities during the disaster relief operation.”
For the first time in the history of Yama Sakura, members from the Australian Defense Force are observing the command post exercise.
More than 800 U.S. military personnel and over 3,500 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel are participating in YS61.
Video by Spc. Joshua Bennett, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky National Guard
Package about how the military personnel attend various moral welfare and recreation activities offered during Yama Sakura 61. Soundbites include PVT. Michael Phillip, WO1 Edwards Sistrunk and MAJ. Richard Dixon. Produced by Spc. Josh Bennett.
Video by Spc. Joshua Bennett, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky National Guard
Package about how military personnel attend dance and drum ceremonies offered at Camp Itami for Yama Sakura 61. Soundbite includes SPC. Vinson Williams – 34ID HHC, Rosemount, MN. Produced by SPC. Josh Bennett – 133rd MPAD.
Story by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky National Guard
Command Sgt. Maj. Mary L. Brown, Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Pacific based in Ft. Shafter, Hawaii, greets event participant Yoshiko Fujii during the clean up of Osaka Castle Jan.28. (National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
CAMP ITAMI, Japan –- Raking leaves on a wintery Saturday morning in January is probably not very high on the to-do list for most Soldiers stationed abroad.
Nonetheless, several Soldiers participating in the Yama Sakura 61 exercise at Camp Itami decided to trade in their free time and give back to the city of Osaka by assisting their Japanese counterparts in picking up trash and raking leaves around Osaka Castle Jan. 28.
Command Sgt. Maj. Mary L. Brown, Battalion Sgt. Maj. with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army Pacific based in Ft. Shafter, Hawaii, organized the joint effort to clean up Osaka Castle.
Spc. Isaac J. Ferderer, Battle Radio Transmitter Operator for the 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard, assists a member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during the clean up of Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan Jan. 28. (National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
“Our mission here today is demonstrating a sense of good-will, brotherhood, and appreciation for our Japanese counterparts and their great nation,” said Brown.“These cultural events allow us to strengthen our relationships with the Japanese people by showing our continued commitment here.”
Over the course of the past week, U.S. Soldiers have had the unique opportunity to visit numerous Japanese historical landmarks such as the Todai-Ji Temple, Osaka Castle, and The Golden Pavilion.
Brown said Soldiers who volunteered for the Osaka Castle clean up understood this off-post event differed slightly because there was a mission at hand.
“I would like to thank each and every Soldier that came out here today and showed their support for a great cause,” said Brown.
Working along side their Japanese counterparts, U.S. Soldiers were able to clean up a significant amount of leaves and debris around Osaka Castle in a matter of a few hours.
“There was a dual mission accomplished here today at Osaka Castle,” said Pfc. Thomas Bolton, an intelligence analyst for the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion based in Fort Shafter, Hawaii. “One is that our Soldiers managed to clean up the grounds of Osaka Castle. The second mission was showing support for the Japanese culture as a whole”
Bolton said that Japan was an absolutely gorgeous landscape because of all the remarkable temples and castles spread throughout the country.
“The only time I had ever seen anything about Japan was from the monitor of a television screen. To be able to come here and experience the culture of Japan first-hand has been an amazing experience. Osaka Castle is one of the most impressive features I have ever seen in my lifetime,” he said.
Signal intelligence analysts for the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion Spc. Jared P. Williamson and Pfc. Thomas Bolton participate in the Osaka Castle clean-up while wearing traditional Japanese armor Jan. 28. (National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Soldiers that volunteered for the Osaka clean up are currently participating in Yama Sakura 61, which is one of the foundations of the U.S. and Japanese defense cooperation.
Yama Sakura 61 is the largest bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force since the Great Tohoku Earthquake Mar. 11, 2011.
The Yama Sakura exercise is designed to strengthen military operations and ties between the U.S. military and their Japanese counterparts at the operational level and exercise mutual capabilities in the defense of Japan.
Approximately 800 U.S. military personnel and over 3,500 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force are participating in YS61.
Story by Spc. Brandy Mort , 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky National Guard
Pfc. Dean Wearner, movement control team driver at Camp Itami in Osaka, Japan, drives government employee Stu Farnham and U.S. Army Capt. Derek Musser to and from their destinations Jan. 25.
CAMP ITAMI, JAPAN – Traveling overseas into unchartered territory can often present many challenging obstacles for military personnel abroad. It is important that soldiers reach their destinations in a safe and secure manner.
At Camp Itami, Mr. Tom Johnson, chief of transportation for U.S. Army Japan, is in charge of the movement control teams responsible for a variety of transportation related tasks in support of Yama Sakura 61.
Johnson’s daily duties involve but are not limited to drivers’ training, route orientation, coordinating bus schedules, and creating passenger itineraries.
Yama Sakura 61 is Johnson’s eighth Yama Sakura exercise, and this is his second time working here at Camp Itami.
“Even though I’ve been to Camp Itami before, the job is always changing,” said Johnson, “The routes may have changed, or we might need different equipment to be shipped.”
Tom Johnson, chief of transportation for U.S. Army Japan, is in charge of the movement control teams responsible for a variety of transportation related tasks in support of Yama Sakura 61.
Staff Sgt. Cory Tichenor, movement control team operations sergeant assigned to Camp Itami, works hand-in-hand with Johnson to ensure that military personnel arrive and depart safely to and from their respective destinations.
For Tichenor, this is his second Yama Sakura exercise while stationed in Japan.
“The best part of the job is helping people transition from their regular duty station to the Yama Sakura exercise,” said Tichenor, “I like being the first friendly face our personnel see upon arriving at the airport.”
Being part of the movement control team gives the team members a chance to interact with members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, as well as military personnel from all over the globe.
“Without transportation, the Yama Sakura exercise wouldn’t be possible at all. Military components wouldn’t be able to have their equipment, their troops or anything vital to making the exercise a success,” said Tichenor.
Johnson said members of the movement control team are of utmost importance in making Yama Sakura a success.
“My favorite part of the exercise is having the opportunity to interact and take care of the soldiers and their counterparts,” said Johnson, “I like knowing that I helped everyone arrive and depart safely.”
Yama Sakura 61 is a computer-based training exercise for U.S. Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. A major part of the exercise is the service members participating in the exercise and the equipment they will be using throughout the mission.
This year’s annual Yama Sakura exercise is the largest bi-lateral exercise between the U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force since the Great Tohoku Earthquake that occurred in March 2011.