GSDF, US Army start joint command post drill

December 5, 2017

Sendai, Miyagi Pref.- Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Army held a ceremony to start a joint command post exercise, called Yama Sakura, at the GSDF camp in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Tuesday.

In the drill, the GSDF and the US Army will conduct a map exercise for measures in response to ballistic missiles and enemy special forces, in order to confirm bilateral cooperation amid heightening tensions over North Korea.

At the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Tetsuro Yamanoue, commanding general of the GSDF's Northeastern Army, stressed the importance of Japan and the United States cooperating closely in the face of problems related to North Korea, noting that the exercise is a good opportunity to show the two countries' position.

A total of some 6,600 personnel are joining the drill. Specifically, they will confirm joint troop operations assuming counterattacks against enemy invasion from the sea and amphibious maneuvers to recapture remote islands seized by enemy troops.

During the drill, which will last until Dec. 12, there will be an opportunity for officials from local governments to look at coordination between the GSDF and the US Army for operations to protect citizens from armed attacks. Jiji Press