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.