SEKIYAMA TRAINING AREA, NIIGATA PREFECTURE, Japan -- Amid the snow that blanketed the ground and surrounding hills, U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members stood in formation Feb. 25 during a ceremony signaling the start of a two-week, cold-weather training exercise.
“Marines with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, welcome to Sekiyama Training Area,” said JGSDF Col. Tatsuya Osaki, the commanding officer of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army.
The Marines were hosted by Osaki’s JGSDF members at the Sekiyama Training Area in Japan’s Niigata prefecture, which offers skiing as a significant part of its winter tourism.
The Marines are currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.
The opening ceremony of Forest Light was marked by snowfall, a precursor for the type of terrain and conditions the bilateral forces experience during training in Niigata prefecture, which receives the heaviest annual snowfall in Japan, according to Osaki.
The training area is ideal for Marines and JGSDF members to increase their proficiency in cold-weather environments.
“Bilateral training is very important,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Terry E. Harrelson, the sergeant major of the battalion. “I want the Marines to walk away from this knowing they can train side by side with the (JGSDF) forces.”
While addressing the Marines and JGSDF members, U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Bradford Tippett, the commanding officer of the battalion, expressed the importance of bilateral training.
“Over the next two weeks, as we challenge one another and increase our skills as infantrymen, we will also improve our ability to operate together as partnered military forces,” said Tippett. “This is a key part of being able to uphold the long-standing security agreement our two nations share.”
Cold-weather training increases the interoperability of both units and better prepares them for operating across a broader spectrum of climates and terrain, according to Tippett.
“It is an opportunity to increase our capabilities.” said Tippett. “If we do not train together in different conditions, we won’t be prepared for all the different situations which may arise.”
During the opening ceremony, Osaki spoke about the strong bond shared by the two nations’ service members and emphasized the significance of learning from this exercise.
“It is very important for us to deepen (our) mutual understanding, improve interoperability, and conduct combined operations smoothly in this bilateral training,” said Osaki. “I hope that the Japan-U.S. alliance is strengthened through this exercise.”
Tippett finished his remarks by delivering his intent to the Marines and JGSDF service members in attendance.
“Train hard these two weeks,” said Tippett. “Enjoy the company of your brothers that surround you, and dedicate yourselves to walking away sharper as professionals.”