U.S. Marines train with Japanese forces in Forest Light exercise

The U.S. Marine Corps and Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGDSF) conducted joint training exercise Forest Light 17-1 at the Soumagahara training area located in Gunma prefecture, Japan, last week.

Forest Light is a semi-annual exercise between U.S. and Japanese forces with the goal of enhancing the military partnership between both forces, solidifying regional security agreements and improving individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment. 

An approximate 600 U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force, partnered with personnel from JGSDF 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army, participated in the exercise. This year was focused on aerial integration with the purpose of familiarizing both forces with each other's training techniques, methods of executing mission sets and aviation platforms, including the Marines MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and the JGSDF CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Forest Light 17-1 also included casualty evacuation drills utilizing the MV-22B Osprey to increase the readiness of both forces should a natural disaster occur.

“The value of this training is that it reinforces that we truly are stronger together,” said Lt. Col. Ryan M. Hoyle, the commanding officer for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.