U.S., Japan forces enhance partnership during Keen Edge 2012

  • Published
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  U.S. Air Force Airmen from Hawaii, Japan and other locations around the world joined with joint and Japanese partners Jan. 22.

The command post exercise, known as Keen Edge '12, features participation by approximately 600 U.S. and 1,300 Japanese Self Defense Force representatives. During Keen the exercise, US and Japanese forces will practice and test their mutual ability to work and communicate together during simulated scenarios.

Keen Edge '12 kicks off less than one year after the U.S. and Japan partnered together in a massive humanitarian and disaster relief mission, Operation Tomodachi, in response to a massive earthquake, tsunami, and damage to a nuclear reactor in the country's northeast region.

In addition to the positive impacts during times of emergency, a strong security relationship between the two Pacific nations is vital to protecting strategic interests and promoting security and stability in the region.

During Keen Edge 12, Japanese and U.S. staffs will employ computer simulations to practice the steps they might take in the event of a crisis or contingency situation. Command post exercises like Keen Edge are a cost-effective manner of providing military participants with realistic, unobtrusive training in a simulated crisis. Combined with periodic field training exercises, these bilateral drills greatly enhance the readiness and capability of military forces.

Keen Edge 12 is scheduled to run through Jan. 26.