MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan --
Marines
with base operations welcomed Japan Air Self Defense Force Staff Sgt. Shinya
Nishida to their unit through the professional military exchange program
February 17-26 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.
The
professional military exchange program allows members of the JASDF, like
Nishida, an opportunity to work with Marines, experience occupational
procedures, culture and day-to-day life with the Corps.
Nishida
worked as a basic flight planning dispatcher with Headquarters and Headquarters
Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base
Camp Butler, Japan. He was responsible for processing flight plans,
distributing reports for flights and relaying information to pilots.
“The
(flight planning) tasks between JASDF and the Marine Corps are fundamentally
different,” said Nishida. “In the JASDF, I keep track of incoming and outgoing
aircraft and reformat flight plans from (MCAS) Futenma and Kadena (airbase)
into Japanese (flight plans). With the Marine Corps, I enter flight plans,
check flight conditions and have other responsibilities that are new to me.”
Nishida
has been fully integrated into life in the Marine Corps, according to Staff
Sgt. Jorge M. Guinta, flight planning chief and staff non-commissioned officer
in charge of base operations, H&HS, MCAS Futenma. He experienced physical
training with Marines, ate at the messhall, lived in a barracks room, participated
in field day formation and learned the basic responsibilities of a flight plan
dispatcher.
“Nishida
received training the week prior (to his on-the-job experience) to learn and
practice the responsibilities and procedures of the morning shift and night
shift,” said Guinta, a Cranston, RI. native. “He adjusted to the new tasks very
well, and retained the training he received to accurately complete his
responsibilities.”
After Nishida’s exposure to the Marine Corps,
the JASDF will return the favor by taking in a Marine in March to experience
day-to-day routines of the JASDF.
“We’re one team, one fight and (the JASDF) are
allies of ours,” said Guinta. “We’re on the same team together, so just working
together to build cohesion and bonding with them strengthens both of our
services as a whole.”
The
professional military exchange program benefits JASDF and Marines by providing
first-hand insight to the daily routines and responsibilities of each service,
according to Nishida. The experience and knowledge gained through the program
establishes better understanding and communication.
“Communication on profound levels is key to
better our friendship,” said Nishida. “Hand gestures do not replace words and
words do not guarantee communication between two nations. True communications
are built upon assimilation to cultures and languages of the other. This
exchange program provides that opportunity.”