Japan Soldiers break language barriers, shadow U.S. Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sadie Colbert
  • 35th Fighter Wing
Approximately 20 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers from Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, visited with 35th Fighter Wing Airmen as part of their basic English course, March 5.

The JGSDF basic English course affords Soldiers an opportunity to interact face-to-face with their U.S. Air Force counterparts throughout the day, immersing them in an English-speaking environment. The course is divided into three levels--basic, intermediate and advanced--for the members to accomplish.

During the shadow program, the JGSDF Soldiers toured the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron’s chemical, biological, radiological and neurological flight, explosive ordnance disposal flight, heavy shop equipment shop and the fire stations in order to apply their acquired language skills by grouping JGSDF members together with their U.S. Air Force counterparts who perform similar jobs.