Japanese logistics team visits APG

By Mr. Roger Teel (RDECOM)October 7, 2010

Japanese logistics team visits APG
Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, front left, commander, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command and Senior Installation Commander, welcomed Maj. Gen. Kishiro Tanabe, right, Director, Logistics Department, Ground Staff Office, Japanese Self-Def... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- A team of Japanese logistics officers visited facilities here Oct. 7 and witnessed how current technology is being implemented to support the American Warfighter.

Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, commander, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command and Senior Installation Commander, welcomed Maj. Gen. Kishiro Tanabe, Director, Logistics Department, Ground Staff Office, Japanese Self-Defense Force, to his APG headquarters. Over coffee and danish, Justice gave the visitors a command overview, flush with narratives about APG landmarks and operations, and colorful asides that fully embellished his presentation.

Tanabe and his team were traveling to several American military locations during their visit. The Japanese contingent was to also visit The Pentagon, Headquarters, Department of the Army, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, the U.S. Army Materiel Command, and the Combined Arms Support Command.

At Tanabe's side were Col. Hiroki Kobayashi, chief of logistics plans and operations, and Lt. Col. Akiyoshi Sasajima, staff member of the logistics plans and operations office. Lt. Col. Yudai Wada, the Japan Staff Liaison, was also a member of the traveling team.

U.S. Army Col Robert DeJong, deputy chief of staff, U.S. Army Japan and Mr. Robert Helton, interpreter from U.S. Army Japan, were tasked to escort the Japanese officers.

After the office call at RDECOM, the group toured the U.S. Army Test Center's Amphibious Vehicle Test Facility and later visited the Army Research Laboratory's Rodman Building to see lab operations there.

"General Tanabe is one of the United State's most senior and valued counterparts and his visit is an opportunity to return favor for the outstanding cooperation and contributions that the Japan Self-Defense Force extends to the U.S. Army Japan on a daily basis," Justice said.

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