YOKOHAMA, Japan - The commanding general of U.S. Army, Japan, and the chief of staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force visited Soldiers of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command taking part in an exercise here Aug. 28.
Maj. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski and Japanese Gen. Yoshifumi Hibako came to Yokohama North Dock to watch Soldiers of the 709th Transportation Company, Tacoma, Wash., and the 481st Transportation Company, Mare Island, Calif., as they loaded equipment for Operation Pacific Reach, a joint exercise being conducted by U.S. and Japanese forces.
The Reserve Soldiers are serving as crew aboard Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 2009, Calaboza. One of the largest watercraft in the Army inventory, LCUs have the ability to carry cargo equal in weight to five M-1 tanks.
Calaboza is part of Army pre-positioned stocks in the Far East. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Victor Vallero, the boat's skipper for the mission, said getting Calaboza ready to go was a major undertaking.
"It takes about a week to get the boat operational," he said. "All the equipment and BII [basic issue items] are here, but everything has to be unpacked, and then make sure the boat will run as it's supposed to."
By the time the visiting party of generals had arrived, Calaboza was in working order, had gone through sea trials, and was waiting to take equipment on board.
Wiercinski and Hibako watched the operation with great interest, and accompanied Vallero on a tour of the boat. They even stopped by the galley, where Cpl. Robert Lough of the 481st was cooking.
"What's for lunch' Smells good!" Hibako said, adding that he wished they could stay aboard after learning Lough was grilling hamburgers for the crew.
Upon departing the boat, both generals presented Vallero with commanders' coins in appreciation for a job well done.
"I'm accepting these on behalf of the crew," Vallero said. "I'm the skipper, but it's these guys' hard work that keeps the boat running."
Marine Brig. Gen. W. Blake Crowe, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan, said the Army Reserve Soldiers were key to U.S. efforts in the region.
"This is a great demonstration of how Japanese and U.S. forces can work together," he said, as he presented a coin to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Nishida, Calaboza's chief engineer.
Exercise Pacific Reach, a joint exercise simulating actions after an earthquake in Japan, ran through Sept. 9.
Capt. Christopher Larsen is the public affairs officer for the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Seattle.
Social Sharing