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Yama Sakura 87 Showcases Partnership, Readiness ...

Yama Sakura 87 showcases interoperability; share...

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Dec. 06, 2024

Yama Sakura 87, the trilateral scenario-driven command post exercise and part of U.S. Army’s Pacific’s...

Trilateral Military Exercise to Launch with Conc...

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Dec. 05, 2024

In a groundbreaking advancement of interoperability and cooperation, military forces from Japan, Australia and...

Tropic Lightning joins Hanuman Guardian in Thailand
February 23, 2022 — Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand – With a snap to attention and salutes rendered to their commanders, Exercise Hanuman Guardian 2022 officially kicked off for the troops of the 29th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the famed 25th Infantry Division “Tropic Lightning,” and their counterparts from the Royal Thai Army here at the Infantry Centre Feb. 24, 2022. HG22 is the 11th iteration of the annual bilateral U.S. Army Pacific Theater Security Cooperation Program event conducted with the Royal Thai Army in coordination with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Ryan, the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, inspects a U.S. Soldier assigned to the 25th Infantry Division during the opening ceremony for Hanuman Guardian 2022 at the Infantry Center, Khao Noi, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 24, 2022. Hanuman Guardian 2022 is the 11th iteration of the annual bilateral U.S. Army Pacific Theater Security Cooperation Program event conducted with the Royal Thai Army in coordination with United States Indo-Pacific Command. As part of the Pacific Pathways series, the goal of HG22 is to foster closer relationships, increase readiness, and enhance interoperability among service members of the U.S. Army and Royal Thai Army. (U.S. Army photo by Danielle O'Donnell)

A 5th SFAB Team participates in Bijôy Dibôsh in Bangladesh
January 3, 2022 — DHAKA, Bangladesh -- A Maneuver Advisor Team with Force Package 22-1, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade participated in Bijôy Dibôsh, or the Victory Day Parade, Dec. 16, 2021 in Dhaka, Bangladesh celebrating Bangladesh’s 50 years of Independence... MORE

Capt. Alexander Watkins salutes the reviewing stand during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s Victory Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Dec. 16, 2021. The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Victory Day included delegations from six countries as well as contingents from every branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. The reviewing stand included the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff, the President of Bangladesh, and the President of India.

Advisors from Team 5311 traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh to participate in the Victory Day cultural program to build relationships with Bangladeshi Army counterparts. Team 5311’s partnership will continue with the Bangladesh Army in preparation for exercise Tiger Lightning 2022 later this year.

Army Reserve Soldiers Support Yama Sakura 81
December 13, 2021 — In a time where our Nation’s defense strategy continues to pivot to the Pacific, strengthening relationships with allies and partners remains key in defining the U.S. Army’s role in the region. In an effort to support this effort, each year, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) participates in Exercise Yama Sakura, the largest joint and bilateral command post exercise between the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. Army Reserve’s (USAR) unique capabilities are a key compliment to USARPAC’s involvement in the exercise. This is evidenced in the 9th Mission Support Command’s (MSC) support of the 40th iteration of Yama Sakura (YS81)... MORE

Soldiers from the 9th Mission Support Command's 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade pose for a group photo during the commencement of Exercise Yama Sakura 81 at Schofield Barracks, HI. The Soldiers will serve as a subordinate unit for the headquarters element operating out of Camp Itami, Japan.

Joint Command Post Exercise between the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and U.S Army
December 13, 2021 — CAMP ITAMI, Jpn. – The 206th Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) supported the 25th Infantry Division (ID) by participating in the 40th annual Yama Sukura (YS) 81, the largest United States-Japan bilateral- and joint-command post exercise, here from 1-13 December... MORE

Col. Michael Child briefs the Japanese Chief of Staff, Joint Staff (escorted by Maj. Gen. Vowell - Commander of U.S. Army Reserve - Japan) on the DLD's capabilities and integration with Japan's Middle Army at Yama Sukura 81 in Dec 2021. Photo by Lt. Col. Daniel Powell, 206th Digital Liaison Detachment Operations Chief

Yama Sakura 81 reinforces strength of U.S-Japan alliance through world’s largest command post exercise
December 5, 2021 — CAMP ZAMA, Japan – U.S. Army Pacific and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force just completed the largest U.S.-Japan bilateral and joint command post exercise in Yama Sakura’s 40-year history. Yama Sakura 81 (YS81) was larger in size, scope, and complexity compared to previous iterations and located primarily at Camp Zama, Camp Itami and Camp Ainoura, Japan, from Dec. 1 – 13. During last year’s YS79, America’s First Corps was only able to deploy around 30 personnel forward to Camp Kengun, Japan, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s YS81 was the largest exercise to date. U.S. Army Japan raised the bar to new heights, facilitating the forward deployment of over 1,500 Soldiers and thousands of pieces of equipment from Hawaii and Washington to multiple locations across Japan from Nov. 15 – Dec. 20... MORE

Members of the 陸上自衛隊中部方面隊 along with Soldiers from 25th Infantry Division participated in the Yama Sakura 81 closing ceremony at Camp Itami Dec. 12.

This ends the successful 40th iteration of the exercise, and closing remarks were given by Lt. Gen. Shin Nozawa, 陸上自衛隊 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Middle Army commander, and Col Jeffrey A. VanAntwerp, 25th Infantry Division deputy commander for operations.

Also in attendance was Maj. Gen. JB Vowell, U.S. Army Japan commanding general. Following the remarks by Nozawa and VanAntwerp, an award ceremony and group photo were held.

Yama Sakura 81 is the largest U.S.-Japan bilateral and joint command post exercise which enables participants to work as dedicated partners in support of the U.S.-Japan security alliance and for continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This year's exercise commemorates the 40th anniversary of Yama Sakura.

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Donovan Zeanah