GSDF Amphibious Vehicle Takes Part in Disaster Drill

September 2, 2018

Sasebo, Nagasaki Pref.- An AAV7 amphibious assault vehicle of the Ground Self-Defense Force's amphibious rapid development brigade participated in a disaster drill for the first time in Japan on Saturday.

The drill, organized by the city government of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, included the evacuation of residents from a remote island and the rescue and aid of injured people, on the assumption of a large-scale earthquake and torrential rain.

About 1,300 people from 50 organizations, including the SDF, took part in the exercise.

From the island of Ukujima, located some 50 kilometers from the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, 18 residents evacuated on an LCAC air-cushioned landing craft of the Maritime SDF.

The AAV7 vehicle secured a route for the LCAC while its crew guided evacuees.

At Camp Ainoura, the main site of the drill, personnel from the participating organizations checked procedures for the establishment of a disaster response task force and information distribution.

Modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps, the GSDF amphibious rapid development brigade was created in March. It is tasked with playing a leading role in operations to recapture remote islands in the event that they are invaded and occupied. Jiji Press