Iron Fist 19

From January 7th to February 16th, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted the field training exercise Iron Fist 19 with the U.S. Marine Corps in California.

The exercise was implemented to enhance the interoperability with U.S. forces as well as the required tactics and combat capabilities for operations on remote islands.

Approx. 550 JGSDF personnel and approx. 500 U.S. Marine Corps personnel participated in the exercise.

The exercise also included U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft. This part was crucial for deepening mutual understanding between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade that was newly formed last year. In this exercise, using MV-22, which is the same model as the V-22 the JGSDF will introduce in the future, interoperability between Japan and U.S. is expected to be enhanced.

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Training, Forest Light 02

The JGSDF conducted the field training exercise called Forest Light 02 with the U.S. Marines Corps (USMC) from February 4th to 15th.

This exercise is intended to strengthen ties between the JGSDF and the USMC and to improve tactical skills under respective chain of commands by practicing procedures necessary for bilateral operations.

This exercise is also combined with a training relocation of the MV-22 Osprey located at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma in order to promote trainings outside of Okinawa and to mitigate its impact.

Cobra Gold 19

The Japan-Self Defense Forces (JSDF) participated in the multilateral exercise “Cobra Gold 19 (G19)” in Thailand from January 14th to 23rd. Approx. 170 personnel from the JGSDF, the JMSDF, the Japan-Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the Joint Staff Office (JSO) joined this exercise and promoted mutual understanding and reinforced confidence with other involving countries including Thailand, U.S., Indonesia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Malaysia.

In CG 19, Japan, U.S. and Thailand conducted Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation/Rescue of Japanese Nationals Overseas training. This is the practical training under the realistic situation with positive participation of the diplomats from the Embassy/Consulate General of Japan in Thailand and Japanese residents in Chain Mai. Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, the advisor of Prime Minister also observed this important training.

In the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) training part of CG 19, JSDF joined Disaster Relief Rescue Operation assuming heavy flood disaster and enhanced the HA/DR capabilities.

Also, the JSDF constructed the Multipurpose Hall for the local school with U.S. and Thailand armed forces as a part of Humanitarian Civic Assistance. They were staying in the elementary school during the one-month construction and have a good friendship with the local students.

Status of Scrambles through the First Three Quarters of FY2018

The JASDF scrambled 758 times through the first three quarters of FY2018, which marked an increase of 22 times compared to the same period of the previous year. The breakdown of scrambles by countries and regions was about 63% against Chinese aircraft, about 36% against Russian aircraft, and 1% against other aircraft although the countries and regions include supposition.

Characteristics of Responses through the First Three Quarters of FY2018

The JASDF scrambled 476 times against Chinese aircraft in total, an increase of 81 times compared to the same period of the previous year.

The JASDF scrambled 270 times against Russian aircraft in total, a decrease of 58 times compared to the same period of the previous year.

Scrambles against Chinese fighter aircraft and Russian intelligence gathering aircraft were outstanding in frequency compared to other types of aircraft of each country, although this includes estimation.

The period of this data is from April 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018.

Courtesy Call by the Commander, U.S. Forces Japan

On February 15th, Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, the Commander of the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force made his first office call to the Defense Minister. The Ministry of Defense (MOD)/JSDF seeks to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

Measures against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden through the Third Quarter of FY2018

Following data shows the records of the measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden from October through December, 2018.

Aerial Activities of P-3C Patrol Aircraft off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
Record of Mission (October through December, 2018)

1. Number of flights: 60 flights (Accumulated Total(AT): 2,188 flights)
2. Flight hours: Approx. 410 hours (AT: Approx. 16,570 hours)
3. Number of visually confirmed commercial ships: Approx. 5,000 ships (AT: Approx. 181,600 ships)
4. Number of times of information sharing to Japanese destroyers, foreign warships, and/or commercial ships: Approx. 130 times (AT: Approx. 13,800 times)

Escort Operations Performed by Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) Units in the Same Area
Record of Mission (October through December, 2018)

1. Number of escort operations: 7 times (The 794th - 800th escort operation under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)
2. Number of escorted vessels: 9 vessels (AT 3,864 of escorted vessels since the start of operations under Japan’s Anti-Piracy Measures Law)

[Breakdown]

1. Japanese-registered ships: 0 (AT: 19)
2. Foreign ships operated by Japanese shipping companies: 1 (AT: 683)
3. Foreign ships other than above: 8 (AT: 3,162)

*The above record does not include the 1st - 41st escort operation performed as Maritime Security Activities.

Zone Defense performed in the same area
Record of Mission (October through December, 2018)

1. Number of days: 72 (AT: 1,432days)
2. Number of commercial vessels confirmed: Approx. 240 (AT: 18,120vessels)