In a unique opportunity for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), members of the 2nd Air Defense Missile Group were invited to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment training this week.
“We conduct many exercises with our partners in the Japan Self-Defense Forces,” Lt. Col. Robert Vuolo, the MCAS Iwakuni operations officer, said. “MCAS Iwakuni being a hub in the region and a strategic location for the Marine Corps makes this a natural choice of locations, and we want to prove that we can work together…It improves our interoperability due to the speed that we can bring them onto the installation, set them up in a position they can operate from and be ready to utilize their systems.”
Such cooperation has been perhaps emphasized by recent missile testing from North Korea. The PAC-3 is a surface-to-air missile defense system designed for all environments, working to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and their like. The training, which focused on tactical units working to improve interoperability, showed the JASDF’s capability to rapidly deploy defense assets to U.S. military installations throughout the country, according to the Marines.
“We don’t have many opportunities to train on U.S. bases, and it was meaningful,” JASDF 1st Lt. Yui Okubo said. “Rather than training at our own station, we can improve maneuver proficiency if we train at a different location. Most of our members trained here for the first time, and we would appreciate if we have this type of opportunity again in the future.”
For the training exercise, JASDF service members formed a convoy and headed to the air station before deploying a mix of the PAC-3, a radar set, and Antenna Mast Group.
“Both countries have robust ballistic-missile capabilities and the ability to perform this mission,” Vuolo said. “However, there is a tremendous amount of value for us to move those parts around, deploy and redeploy our forces and their forces to respond to any contingency. It adds flexibility to the U.S. – Japan alliance and the ability for us to work together in meeting our joint mission of providing security to both of our countries and the region.”