COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado -- U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, provided joint ballistic missile defense training to five Japanese joint staff officers from July 26 through Aug. 2 here.
The Japanese officers serve in the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force and represent the J3 (operations), J5 (plans and policy), and J6 (command, control, communications, and computer systems) organizations of the Joint Staff of Japan.
The Joint BMD Training and Education Center developed and conducted the training. The JBTEC provides world-class joint, above-element BMD training for more than 3,000 students a year for national leaders, services, combatant commands, U.S. government agencies, and approved foreign nationals.
Training was conducted under the governance of the Foreign Military Sales training procedures with coordination between USSTRATCOM, JFCC IMD, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron, the U.S. State Department, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Japanese Ministry of Defense, and the Japanese Joint Staff.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Carey Jones, director, Joint Training & Exercises (J7), said JFCC IMD and JBTEC have delivered Foreign Military Sales training for the past three years to the government of Japan.
"During the first two years (fiscal years 14 and 15), the courses were offered at the introductory level and included a one-day executive overview followed by a three-day staff course," Jones said. "This year, the JBTEC developed a more advanced course focusing on joint deliberate planning concepts and procedures, and included simulation-based application exercises."
Forrest Brooks, a JBTEC instructor, called this "a milestone event in foreign disclosure," as this was the first time the advanced Joint BMD deliberate planning course has been taught to an allied audience. He also believed that the Japanese were very happy with the instruction and said the officers called the course "the best training they have received regarding the IAMD mission."
When asked about the significance of this training, the JFCC IMD Deputy Commanding Officer U.S. Navy Capt. Chris Halton explained that "this is a great example of our strong partnership with the Japanese military and our countries' commitment to excellence in ballistic missile defense."
Jones said the course was conducted in English and was supported with interpretation provided through a partnership with the U.S. Air Force's Language Enabled Airman Program.
"The LEAP Airman volunteered to support the FMS training as part of his professional career development," Jones explained. "The interpretation support was outstanding, and JFCC IMD will continue to work with LEAP for future FMS training support."
Following their formal BMD training at the JBTEC, the Japanese officers visited U.S. Northern Command at Peterson, Air Force Base. They also visited the Missile Defense Agency, the 100th Missile Defense Brigade, and JFCC IMD located at Schriever Air Force Base. They received a tour, command briefings, and were able to interact with lead officials of the different organizations. The officers were able to enjoy the local area through hiking, attending a sporting event, and even conquering the Manitou Springs Incline.
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