Medical Department Activity-Japan (MEDDAC-J) and United States Army-Japan (USAR-J) hosted the first Medical Joint Planning Group (JPG) from Jan. 5-9, 2015 in order to refine the USAR-J Medical Sustainment plans and annexes to the USAR-J Operational Support Plans (OSP).

MEDDAC-J and USAR-J identified the need for a medical joint planning group to discuss the current medical common operating picture in Japan and develop a joint way ahead to ensure economy of force and increased medical capabilities in the Japan Theater of Operations (JTO).

Starting in early September 2014, invitations and planning for a MEDDAC-J and USAR-J hosted Medical Joint Planning Group (JPG) were sent out to key leaders in the Pacific Army Command (PACOM) area of operation.

The Medical JPG ran from Jan. 5-9, 2015 and included over 36 participants from the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

The objectives of the JPG were to refine the USAR-J Medical Sustainment plans and annexes to the USAR-J Operational Support Plans (OSP).

Those objectives were met through various events during the JPG which included: key leader engagements and discussions; Command Briefs and service specific medical capabilities briefs by the USAR-J Surgeon, United States 7th Fleet Surgeon, 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support), and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC).

Lt. Col. Philip Ginder, MEDDAC-Japan Deputy Commander of Administration, stated "This event has been an outstanding opportunity for medical planners from throughout the Pacific to work together, face to face, to discuss medical issues and plans that are specific to Japan."

Common User Land Transport (CULT) briefs and working groups focused on the movement and sustainment of medical assets in Japan, headed by 403rd Logisitics Readiness Center (LRC), 8th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), and USAR-J G3/G4.

United States Naval Hospital Yokota led a discussion of the upcoming earthquake disaster drill.

Finally, key leaders conducted a review of medical plans, identified shortfalls, proposed changes, and planned a way ahead to exercise those proposed changes in the upcoming Key Resolve training exercise.

According to Col. Thirsa Martinez, USAR-J Surgeon, "The Medical JPG was a huge success and illustrates that MEDDAC-J and USAR-J are committed to improving and refining medical sustainment plans in a joint environment to ensure economy of force and increased medical capabilities."