US and Japanese military officials discuss continued partnership

  • Published
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  13th Air Force, 5th Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force senior officials met Dec. 14 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, continuing a series of senior leader discussions on future operations and engagements between the two countries, to include preparation for the Keen Edge exercise next month.

"The U.S.-Japan alliance is strengthened through interoperability," Lt. Gen. Ted Kresge, 13th Air Force commander said. "As was demonstrated during Operation Tomodachi, there is tremendous value added in working and exercising side-by-side. When real-world events occur, we are better able to operate in a joint environment and respond effectively and efficiently."

In addition to the senior leader discussions, Lt. Gen. Kresge was given a tour of the newly constructed JASDF Air Defense Headquarters building on Yokota AB, and the space which will host the Bilateral Air Component Coordination Element. The new BACCE facility will allow for increased interaction and closer coordination between the U.S. and Japan air component staffs.

Exercise Keen Edge is a biennial joint training exercise scheduled for Jan. 23-27, 2012. It is a command and control exercise, and the objective is to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. military and JASDF. The Keen Edge - Keen Sword exercise series alternates annually. Keen Sword is a field training exercise. Exercises and engagements serve to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and Japan; a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.