Japanese soldiers and US Marines have been training together for the last two weeks at Camp Pendleton to refine individual and small unit skills.
The Japanese soldiers, from the Western Army Infantry Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, worked with Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit for the second phase of training focusing on sniper tactics, beach raids, amphibious assault, and platoon-sized attacks.
The second phase culminated in military planners from each country working together to formulate an amphibious assault operation for the final phase of training.
“Even with a language barrier, warriors will find common ground and communicate to accomplish the mission,” said Col. Clay C. Tipton, 11th MEU commanding officer.
Approximately 200 Japanese soldiers and 400 U.S. Marines will transition Twentynine Palms north of Palm Springs, for phase the third phase of training. The training exercise will happen on February 12.
“It is inspiring to watch the interaction of the Japanese soldiers and U.S. Marines as they conduct this individual/small unit training in preparation for larger, more complex training, which is the company-sized bilateral attack at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, Calif,” said Tipton.
