Forces prepare for Yama Sakura

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
CAMP ASAKA, Japan --  U.S. airmen and Japan self-defense forces are gearing up for exercise Yama Sakura ‘04 taking place here Jan. 25 to 31.

Yama Sakura is an annual joint/bilateral command post exercise, and is one of the most important simulation-driven, force-on-force battle staff training exercises in Japan, said exercise officials.

“Our mission is very important,” said Master Sgt. Robert Hicks, a tactical air control party airman and exercise planner from 5th Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan. “We’re here to help JSDF personnel gain maximum exposure to U.S. warfighting doctrine and [help them] learn how our air operations work.”

Sergeant Hicks conducted familiarization training with his Japanese counterparts Jan. 22. Using color-coded charts and maps, he explained proper but complex procedures on how to request close-air support and how to manage aircraft traffic during battle.

All of the exercise scenarios are replicated using computer simulators where aircraft can take off and land from their base, drop bombs, refuel in mid-air and, if necessary, abort a mission with a push of a button. There are no “boots on the ground” since the actual force-on-force fighting is done via high-tech computers.

The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Air Control Squadron is training Japanese forces on air warfare simulation equipment. The equipment is used to model Air Component Command aviation assets including all South Korean and U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps fixed-wing aircraft. Using laptop computers, Japanese and U.S. airmen are working side-by-side exchanging information on how the air warfare simulation system operates. The system uses actual logistics data including fuel, munitions status and aircraft status along with real-time flight profiles from takeoff to landing to conduct a simulated air war against a realistic threat profile.

Despite the long workdays leading into the exercise, the Americans have been able to experience some Japanese culture.

“The JSDF were quick to stop by to visit and show us around,” said Master Sgt. Stan Delacruz, first sergeant for the 154th ACS.

“Once we got past the initial barriers in getting to know a new group, we learned a lot about the JSDF and became fast friends,” Sergeant Delacruz said.