Yama Sakura Exercise Co-Director Congratulates Rainbow Staff, Soldiers
December 12, 2009
By U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta, 138th Public Affairs Detachment
Story Highlights
- Yama Sakura is a bilateral joint command post training exercise
- More than 1,500 U.S. troops partner with 3,500 members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces
- The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division deployed more than 120 Soldiers to Japan
- The training involved military to military partnerships and cultural exchange
CAMP CHITOSE, HOKKAIDO JAPAN -- Lieutenant General Takeshi Sakai, commander of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces' Northern Army, presents a commanders' challenge coin to New York Army National Guard Maj. Jamey Barcomb of the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Tactical Command Post #1. Barcomb, from Williamsville, N.Y. is the current operations battlestaff officer for the division command post. He provided Sakai with an overview of division command and control techniques and technology as part of Yama Sakura 57, the bilateral joint command post exercise here. Sakai is the codirector of the exercise. Looking on is Brig. Gen. Steven Wickstrom, the 42nd Infantry Division Commander. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Drumsta, 138th Public Affairs Detachment.
