The US Navy, Marine Corps, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) completed a joint military training exercise last week.
The Bilateral Advanced Warfare Training (BAWT) is an annual exercise to improve cooperation between the two countries’ military forces.
The training, which began last month, saw the integration of the US Marine Corps and JGSDF for the first time.
“Exercises like BAWT strengthen our alliance and serve as a reminder of the iron-clad commitment of the United States and Japan to maintaining stability in a free and open IndoPacific region,” Task Force 71 commander Capt. Chase Sargeant said in a statement.
“These are the exercises that allow our surface and air forces to hone our skills so we can execute routine, seamlessly integrated operations to deter aggression or respond in crisis,” he added.
Ships from the US Navy, including the USS Milius, USS Barry, USS Higgins, USS Dewey, and Japan’s JS Shiranui participated in the drills.
Military Cooperation
Last month, the US and Japan also participated in COPE North 2022, the largest multilateral exercise hosted by the US Pacific Air Forces.
The annual exercise — in which Australia was also a participant — was conducted to improve the readiness of the three countries’ air forces to execute humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions by cooperating and sharing military techniques, tactics, and procedures.
With over 130 fighters from 30 different units, the exercise saw the participation of around 2,500 military personnel from the US alongside 1,000 personnel from Japan and the Australian Air Force.