US Army and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conclude Exercise Rising Thunder 21

By Lt. Col. Travis DettmerDecember 15, 2021

Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier (left) assigned to, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and U.S. Army (right) assigned to, 7th Infantry Division, salute the Japanese and U.S. flags during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier (left) assigned to, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and U.S. Army (right) assigned to, 7th Infantry Division, salute the Japanese and U.S. flags during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021. Rising Thunder is an annual combined arms exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to validate combat readiness and develop interoperability between our militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dean Johnson) (Photo Credit: Spc. Dean Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to HHC Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conduct sniper training during training exercise Rising...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to HHC Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force conduct sniper training during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 5, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Col. Chad Roehrman, commander of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, presents a plaque to Col. Koichi Koba, commander of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, to commemorate the end of a...
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Col. Chad Roehrman, commander of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, presents a plaque to Col. Koichi Koba, commander of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, to commemorate the end of a weeks-long training event during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 14, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa.

- Photo courtesy of Sgt. Ayato Takai, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway)
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U.S. Army Spc. Noland Motes, assigned to Chosin Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division conducts M240 machine gun training with members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Noland Motes, assigned to Chosin Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division conducts M240 machine gun training with members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 6, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Capt. Cortland Henderson) VIEW ORIGINAL

YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. — Elements of the U.S. Army’s 7th Infantry Division and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force concluded Exercise Rising Thunder '21 in a formal ceremony Dec. 14, 2021, at Yakima Training Center, Wash.

The annual exercise is designed to enhance interoperability and combat readiness between the U.S. and Japan and has been a regular occurrence between the two allies since 1994, gaining its official title of Rising Thunder in 1998.

This year’s iteration included units from 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team and 16th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 7th Inf. Div., and 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade – all based at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash. They trained alongside Japanese allies from the JGSDF’s 32nd Inf. Regiment and 1st Battle Helicopter Flight Unit.

An AH-64 Apache flies over a Stryker assigned to 2nd Stryker Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and a Toyota Mega Cruiser assigned to the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 6, 2021 at Yakima...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An AH-64 Apache flies over a Stryker assigned to 2nd Stryker Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and a Toyota Mega Cruiser assigned to the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 6, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army soldier Col. Leo Wyszynski, operations deputy commander, 7th Infantry Division, delivers a speech to both Japanese and American Soldiers during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021. Rising...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army soldier Col. Leo Wyszynski, operations deputy commander, 7th Infantry Division, delivers a speech to both Japanese and American Soldiers during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021. Rising Thunder is an annual combined arms exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to validate combat readiness and develop interoperability between our militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dean Johnson) (Photo Credit: Spc. Dean Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL
A member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force looks through a spotter scope at practice targets downrange during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 5, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force looks through a spotter scope at practice targets downrange during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 5, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway) VIEW ORIGINAL
An AH-64E helicopter assigned to 1-229th Attack Battalion "Tigersharks", 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, hovers next to an AH-64D assigned to 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6,...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An AH-64E helicopter assigned to 1-229th Attack Battalion "Tigersharks", 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, hovers next to an AH-64D assigned to 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2021. The units are conducting a combined Hellfire missile shoot with a combined American and Japanese observation post as part of Exercise Rising Thunder 21. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade) (Photo Credit: Capt. Kyle Abraham) VIEW ORIGINAL

The bilateral training benefits all participating service members, from the newest soldier to the most senior officers within the two nation’s forces, according to U.S. Army Col. Chad Roehrman, commander of 2-2 SBCT and exercise director for Rising Thunder '21.

“Throughout the exercise, our continued interaction has exposed each to new tactics, techniques and procedures in military tasks, improving our skills at the individual level with weapon employment, and increasing our regiment [and] brigade’s effectiveness at staff planning procedures,” Roehrman said.

Japanese Col. Koichi Koba, commander of Japan’s 32nd Inf. Regiment, highlighted the exercise as a successful test of U.S and Japanese interoperability down to the lowest echelons.

“Learning from a U.S. platoon leader who is full of rich and practical experiences improves our ability to employ platoons, as well as our training procedures, training environment, weapons, vehicles and individual equipment,” Koba said. “It will be very helpful for the JGSDF.”

Warrant Officer Nishiue Masamichi, a member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, presents a plaque to Command Sgt Maj. Robert Szymaszek, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division to commemorate the conclusion of a weeks-long...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Warrant Officer Nishiue Masamichi, a member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, presents a plaque to Command Sgt Maj. Robert Szymaszek, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division to commemorate the conclusion of a weeks-long training event during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 14, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa.

- Photo courtesy of Sgt. Ayato Takai, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway)
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Soldiers assigned 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 10, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 10, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway) VIEW ORIGINAL
Helicopters assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army, and 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, receive fuel and Hellfire missile armaments at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2021.  The units are...
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Helicopters assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army, and 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, receive fuel and Hellfire missile armaments at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2021. The units are preparing to conduct a combined Hellfire shoot as part of Exercise Rising Thunder 21. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade) (Photo Credit: Capt. Kyle Abraham) VIEW ORIGINAL
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier Col. Koichi Koba, commander of 32nd Infantry Regiment, delivers a speech to both Japanese and American Soldiers during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021....
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier Col. Koichi Koba, commander of 32nd Infantry Regiment, delivers a speech to both Japanese and American Soldiers during the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021. Rising Thunder is an annual combined arms exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to validate combat readiness and develop interoperability between our militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dean Johnson) (Photo Credit: Spc. Dean Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Japanese forces arrived to the United States in mid-November and conducted reception, staging, and onward movement of their equipment from the Port of Tacoma to YTC alongside 7ID soldiers in preparation for the exercise, which began Dec. 1.

Key combined events during the two-week exercise included firing of the AH-64 Apache helicopter’s Hellfire missile and M230 chain gun, combined mortar training, and a platoon live-fire exercise, culminating in a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) between the ground forces and helicopter units. This iteration of Rising Thunder is the first time the JGSDF had fired a Hellfire missile at YTC.

Japanese 2nd Lt. Shingo Hayama said preparation for the exercise was complicated and one of the most difficult experiences he had to date as a soldier in the JGSDF.

“To accomplish the mission, I felt we had a lot of cohesion when we trained in such an environment,” Hayama said. “I heard from a U.S. commander that a complicated situation makes units much stronger. I also believe that.”

Forward support observers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during training exercise Rising...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Forward support observers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during training exercise Rising Thunder on December 6, 2021 at Yakima Training Center, Wa. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jerod Hathaway) VIEW ORIGINAL
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers assigned to 32nd Infantry Regiment and 1st Helicopter Brigade stand in formation beside U.S. Army soldiers during a practice run of the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center,...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers assigned to 32nd Infantry Regiment and 1st Helicopter Brigade stand in formation beside U.S. Army soldiers during a practice run of the opening ceremony to Rising Thunder 2021 on Yakima Training Center, Dec. 1, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dean Johnson) (Photo Credit: Spc. Dean Johnson) VIEW ORIGINAL
An AH-64E helicopter assigned to 1-229th Attack Battalion "Tigersharks", 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, launches a Hellfire missile down range at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2021.  The unit is conducting a combined shoot with 1st...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An AH-64E helicopter assigned to 1-229th Attack Battalion "Tigersharks", 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, launches a Hellfire missile down range at Yakima Training Center, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2021. The unit is conducting a combined shoot with 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and a combined American and Japanese observation post as part of Exercise Rising Thunder 21. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade) (Photo Credit: Capt. Kyle Abraham) VIEW ORIGINAL

Rising Thunder is designed to enhance military-to-military relationships at all levels with the U.S. Army’s JGSDF counterparts. It demonstrates the U.S. and Japan’s mutual commitment to deterring adversary aggression and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, united by mutual security interests and values.

“As our two nations shared during this exercise, we each gained greater skills and awareness of how our current systems integrate with each other,” said Roehrman. “It is vital to ensure our systems are clearly conveyed to our strategic partners in order to be most effective on the battlefield.”

Koba said the training improved his units’ capabilities and made them stronger.

“I firmly believe both Japanese and U.S. units and soldiers can become one team by seriously grappling with training and having deep conversations that facilitate mutual understanding.”