Sun sets on Keen Sword exercise

  • Published
  • By Capt. David Herndon
  • Keen Sword Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Servicemembers at military installations throughout mainland Japan, Okinawa and in the waters surrounding the country wrapped up a seven-day joint, bilateral field-training exercise with their Japan Self-Defense Force counterparts as Exercise Keen Sword 11 came to an end Dec. 10.

Identified as the largest joint, bilateral field-training exercise in Japan between the two nations, Keen Sword 11 was designed to allow the two militaries to practice and evaluate the coordination procedures and interoperability elements required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, or to a regional crisis or contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Field training exercises like Keen Sword 11 enable the U.S. and Japan Self Defense Forces to gauge and assess current capabilities which leads us to enhanced interoperability," said Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the 13th Air Force commander and exercise co-director. "Our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines operating out in the field were able to forge those all-important relationships that reaffirm the alliance between our two nations, which (are) indispensable in ensuring regional peace and stability."

The exchange brought together more than 40,000 U.S. and Japanese military members and focused on integrated air and missile defense, base security and force protection, search and rescue, and maritime defense and interdiction. More than 400 aircraft participated in the exercise and were operated bilaterally with at least 60 ships and missile defense equipment.

A priority for both nations included building bilateral confidence and working relationships. According to Col. Marc Reese, the commander of 13th Air Force Det. 1, the exercise will pay huge dividends now and in the future.

"The training between Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from both our nations was outstanding, with close coordination and synergy across the spectrum of field training operations," the colonel said. "Our servicemembers will certainly be able to leverage lessons learned during future bilateral engagements with the Japan Self-Defense Forces."

The exercise was the tenth joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986 and caps the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

"The alliance has served as the foundation of our security and prosperity for 50 years," General Carlisle said. "By conducting exercises such as Keen Sword, we are ensuring that our forces will continue to be effective in meeting the challenges of the 21st century."

According to United States Pacific Command officials, the alternating Keen Edge exercise, a command post exercise or 'CPX' version of Keen Sword, is scheduled for 2012.