Yokota AB participates in multilateral New Year’s Jump exercise

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) –

A multilateral collaboration of U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, British army, Australian army, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members conducted an annual New Year’s Jump exercise at Camp Narashino, Jan. 8.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers from the 1st Airborne Brigade stand under the static line on a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron prior to jumping during the annual New Year’s Jump over Camp Narashino training area, Chiba, Japan, Jan. 8, 2023. The event is the first of the year for Yokota Air Base, but just the beginning of a new year of a series of multilateral training exercises increasing the combat readiness and friendship between the U.S. and its partners and allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)

Roughly 400 paratroopers participated in the event jumping from three U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, one C-130H Hercules and one C-2 Greyhound assigned to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

“The New Year’s Jump is the first big event of the year hosted by JGSDF,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kevin Mendez, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot. “Doing this event has been a longstanding tradition with our allied partners to welcome the new year in the spirit of continued safe operations.”

This event marks a return to a diverse representation of forces participating since the COVID-19 pandemic began, allowing a renewal in partnerships while celebrating the first jump of the year with allies.

“This New Year’s jump event was an opportunity to learn from each other and improve together with our partner nations,” said U.S. Army Col. Christopher Ward, 11th Airborne Division chief of staff. “The true value of what we did here today in not only conducting a multilateral jump to celebrate the New Year, but to also increase our ability to conduct better airborne operations in a joint environment forward in the Pacific theater. Events like this and others builds readiness.”

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers from the 1st Airborne Brigade, hook up to the static line inside of a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J Hercules before jumping out of the aircraft over a Camp Narashino training area Chiba, Japan, Jan. 8, 2023. The annual New Year’s Jump highlights the U.S. and Japan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral capabilities, enhancing interoperability and cooperation between two militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Braden Anderson)

Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division walk to a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, in preparation for the annual New Year's Jump, Jan. 8, 2023. The annual jump highlights the multi-country commitment to strengthening multilateral capabilities, enhancing joint interoperability and cooperation between multiple militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly)

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratrooper with the 1st Airborne Brigade prepares for the annual New Year's Jump by donning camouflage face paint, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8, 2023. The annual New Year's Jump highlights the multi-country commitment to strengthening multilateral capabilities, enhancing joint interoperability and cooperation between multiple militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly)

Teamwork is a military strength at all levels, from small teams to large scale joint force operations, and the annual NYJ exercise is a commitment to maintaining flexible allied interoperability. This display of strength and capability acts as a deterrent to peer adversaries, and as a promise to the lasting friendship of partner forces.

“Our goal is to fortify our interoperability with our international allies through these jumps,” Mendez said. “Integration events like this help enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Japan Self-Defense Forces in the event of a real-world contingency.”

The New Year’s Jump kicks off a series of bilateral training exercises for Yokota AB, which have long since aimed to increase the combat readiness and friendships between the U.S. and its international partners.