U.S., Japan partner to improve air operations

  • Published
  • By Capt. Genieve David
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Officers from the Japan Air Self Defense Force concluded five days of training and cross talks hereOct. 24 with members of the 13th Air Force in order to improve combat operations center capabilities.

Officers from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center assisted four JASDF delegates, representing Air Defense and Air Support Commands, by helping identify strengths and areas of improvement within their own air operations processes.

"This is our first time visiting here," said JASDF visitor Lt. Col. Mizuru Tanikawa. "The most interesting part of the visit was the differences between the air operations center, [Air Force Forces] and A-staff functions."

Lt. Col. Michael Sutherland, deputy chief of combat plans division for the 613th AOC and team lead for the event, felt that the visit was productive and a good opportunity to work with a regional partner.

"We offered the Japanese insight into how we execute the joint forces air component commander's mission and identified areas in which the United States and Japan can synergize each of our capabilities driving toward more integrated operations in the future," said Colonel Sutherland.

The 613th AOC provided real world examples of the air tasking process to include discussions of air operations directives, air tasking orders, operational assessment, joint prioritized integrated target lists and air battle plan development. They also held several discussions on command and control, ballistic missile defense, and Air Force forces and A-staff functions.

"This orientation was important because it demonstrated to our Japanese partners our commitment to working side-by-side, ensuring peace and stability in the region," Colonel Sutherland said.

The JASDF's Air Defense Command recently moved from Fuchu Air Base, Japan, to Yokota Air Base, Japan, in order to encourage interoperability between the JASDF combat operations center, currently under construction, and the U.S. air operations center.

"A strong relationship between the U.S. and Japan is very important," JASDF Lt. Col. Kazuhiro Hongo, 613th AOC liaison officer, said. "Learning about a U.S.-operated air operations center, as well as the AFFOR and A-staff concepts, was beneficial."