Clifton Park, NY National Guard Soldier Deploys for Training with Japanese Self Defense Forces

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Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) officers coordinate with Maj. Jamey Barcomb Dec. 4 during preparations for exercise Yama Sakura. Photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta.

CAMP CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN (12/10/2009)(readMedia)-- Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division and supporting commands deployed here to Northern Japan for the annual bilateral command post training exercise Yama Sakura alongside partners from the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF).

The JGSDF Northern Army hosts the exercise, which includes representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army Reserve and Army National Guard units from more than a dozen states besides New York.

Deployed to Japan for the overseas training is First Lieutenant Christopher A. Giebel, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters. Giebel is from Clifton Park, NY (postal code 12065) and is the Deputy Commander, Aide De Camp.

"This exercise proves the strength of the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Japan," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commanding general, United States Army, Pacific.

"In order to further improve our bilateral response capabilities," said Lt. Gen. Takeshi Sakai, commanding general of the JGSDF Northern Army, "I request that you all make coordination between our forces and make bold, daring attempts to meet new challenges without fear of mistakes."

"We will prepare ourselves for future threats and enhance our relationship, as well as gain a greater understanding of civil-military operations," concluded Mixon.

More than 5,700 personnel will participate in the exercise. Yama Sakura, which means "mountain cherry blossom," is an annual joint and combined full-spectrum training exercise. Supporting the 42nd Infantry Division in Japan are approximately 120 Soldiers with an additional 50 Soldiers deployed to Fort Lewis, Wash. for exercise support.

Since its start in 1982, Yama Sakura has focused on the refinement of bilateral planning, coordination, and interoperability.

The exercise has four objectives: the exchange of ideas, techniques, and military experience; training U.S. forces for deployment to Japan; the exercise of JSDF and U.S. forces in the defense of Japan; and preparation of USARPAC forces for combined, multi-national and joint full-spectrum operations.

The unit is expected to return home to New York on the 15th of December.

For more information about Yama Sakura 57, visit the NY National Guard website at www.dmna.state.ny.us. For photographs and video b-roll of the training, visit www.dvidshub.net or the Pacific Command imagery on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/us-pacific-command/4167279346/.