'Guard and Protect' exercise unites bilateral forces

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  A key component of the 35th Fighter Wing's mission is to assist in the defense of Japan. To that end, the 35th Security Force Squadron practiced base defense with their Japanese counterparts during a Guard and Protect exercise Dec. 4 - 5.

Airmen from the 35th SFS and Japan Air Self Defense Force and soldiers from Japan Ground Self Defense Force, 9th Division, 5th Infantry Regiment, Aomori, participated in the exercise that tested the combined force's ability to protect Misawa's war fighting assets.

Guard and Protect is a bilateral agreement, signed in 2003, between the United States and Japanese governments which states during heightened threats to installations throughout the country, JGSDF and JASDF will augment security at U.S installations, said Lt. Col. Dustin Sutton, 35th SFS commander.

"We keep an open relationship with [JGSDF and JASDF] year round with frequent meetings and training events, but it all culminates in one big exercise, this year we had two," the colonel added.

In a bilateral environment, communication is key. The inherent language barrier proved to be the biggest difficulty, said Colonel Sutton. Breaking down who was responsible for each portion of the operation and what was expected of them greatly improved the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the bilateral forces when it came time to respond to base threats.

Various scenarios, staged by U.S. Airmen postured as opposing forces members, allowed around-the-clock events which breached base security and deliver realistic threats to the bilateral defenders.

The opposing forces members volunteered their time and tested security forces by infiltrating target areas and simulating attacks with ground burst simulators and smoke grenades.

"We did everything from being suspicious people and having suspicious indicator items in our vehicles to full-blow assaults on gates or different buildings, and that allows [responding forces] to go through the full spectrum of detecting inappropriate acts or repelling assaults," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Potts, 35th SFS opposing forces volunteer.
Sergeant Potts was satisfied by the bilateral groups' collaborative efforts.

"It was outstanding -- JGSDF did very well, JASDF cooperation also went very well," said Sergeant Potts. "All their responses were timely. They stopped and assessed the situations where they needed to be aggressive and thought through the scenarios before they moved in the right direction."

"We met 90 percent of the stated objectives with the scenarios," said Colonel Sutton. "That still leaves a lot of ground work for enhancing our partnership and increasing our efficiency."

Based off Colonel Sutton's experience, he and members of his squadron who provide security for and work alongside other international organizations noted the relationship with Japan and their ability to communicate and work effectively is particularly strong in comparison.

"We have a great relationship with JGSDF and JASDF, and that's key to a successful defense of Misawa Air Base, the colonel added. "We probably have the best relationship in Japan -- that's key to our ability to grow an even stronger partnership in the future as threats may emerge in Eastern Asia."

"The base needs to be able to react on a moment's notice, and we can here," he said. "If under a specific threat, we can integrate a team together to operate efficiently and defeat our adversaries."