YAKUMO SUB BASE, Japan -- Members from 5th Air Force and the 515th Air Mobility Command flew to Yakumo Sub Base, Oct. 13, to observe a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jieitai) exercise called Fokuou Kidou.
Throughout the exercise JASDF showcased their methods for airfield assessment, mobile refueling systems, deployable mobile radar approach control system, airfield security, command and control, weather assessment, and small unmanned aircraft system use.
“The purpose of this training is to improve the capability of emergency restoration of airfields and other facilities that have lost their functions due to a large-scale disaster,” said Maj. Ken Yamashita, JASDF Air Support Command. “This training also focused on the multiple skills of the team members. We conducted comprehensive training with multi-capable Airman, who are able to respond beyond the boundaries of their specialties, which enables flexible response to disaster situations with a minimum number of personnel and equipment.”
Acting as observers for the event, U.S. service members took notes on how to better prepare for bilateral exercises with JASDF.
“We are planning to conduct contingency response activities together on future large-scale exercises,” said Maj. Daniel Stancin, 5th AF bilateral exercises coordinator. “By working together we build an understanding of how we can complement each other and our capabilities to effectively respond to peacetime and wartime contingencies.”