Japan soldiers host opening ceremony to kickoff Exercise North Wind 2015

HOKKAIDO, Japan - An official ceremony hosted by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force was held to kickoff Exercise North Wind 2015 here Feb. 9.

Elements of the JGSDF 27th Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, Northern Army hosted an official ceremony to welcome members of U.S. Army Alaska's 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division as they prepare to start their joint training in cold-weather warfare.

A field exercise between the U.S. Army and the JGSDF, Exercise North Wind 2015, is a two-week bilateral field training and command-post exercise to increase combat readiness and interoperability amongst U.S. Army personnel and the JGSDF to respond to a wide range of crisis contingencies in the Asian-Pacific region.

The bilateral event will include live-fire training, ski and snowshoe orientation, urban operations and battle drills, a platoon attack exercise and the first-ever American-led airborne training operation in Japan.

North Wind 2015 runs from Feb. 9-22, offering an opportunity for both U.S. and Japanese soldiers to enhance and build upon their combat skills, develop security relations and foster cultural awareness.

During the ceremony Col. Osamu Asai, commander of the 27th Infantry Regiment, welcomed the Alaska paratroopers and spoke on the continued relations between the U.S. and Japan.

"We deepen Japan and U.S. coordination and strengthen our trusted relationship in this bilateral exercise in the biggest training area here in Japan," said Asai.

The 27th Infantry Regiment commander spoke about the importance of communication and overcoming the obstacle of speaking separate languages.

"I think that communication is important for developing mutual trust. There is a language barrier that we can leave here as a soldier who has a shared sense of mission," said Asai.

Asai concluded his remarks acknowledging the narrow period the two countries have to train together and complete their training goals.

"Although our time is limited, we would like to deepen our mutual understanding for desired accomplishment in this exercise," said Asai.

Maj. David Nelson, battalion operations officer for 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment offered his gratitude to the 1-Geronimo's cordial host for welcoming them to Japan with open arms.

"We are your honored guest and honored by your presence. Thank you for allowing us to share this with you," said Nelson.

Nelson spoke about the partnership between the U.S. and Japan and how this exercise is another opportunity to continue to strengthen that bond.

"Our countries have a long history of partnership and with this exercise we will continue to deepen our already strong relationship and allow us to be prepared to respond to any crisis in the future together," said Nelson.

He went on to express 1-Geronimo's eagerness to learn and train with the JGSDF.

"We know that we will learn much from you and hope that you will learn a few things from us," said Nelson.

Nelson concluded his remarks with hopes that this exercise will be the first of many to come between the JGSDF and USARAK's only arctic airborne brigade.

"We look forward to this being the first of many future opportunities to train side-by-side, so we are prepared to respond together to any contingency in the future. Thank you for this great opportunity. It's an honor," Nelson said.