Brigadier General Christopher A. McPhillips, Commanding General, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Major General Shinichi Aoki, Deputy Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army, stand side by side at Camp Cortney, Okinawa, Japan, December 5, 2017. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance U.S. and Japanese combat readiness and interoperability while strengthening bilateral relationships and demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. 3D MEB and JGSDF participation in YS 73 in Okinawa is in support of the U.S. Army Pacific and JGSDF North Eastern Army main effort at Camp Sendai, Sendai, Japan. During the exercise, U.S. military members and JGSDF members exchange ideas, tactics, techniques, military experiences and culture.

Photo by Cpl. Christian Lopez

Yama Sakura 73 Kicks-Off

5 Dec 2017 | Cpl. Christian J. Lopez 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan -- CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan—Tuesday marked the beginning of the 35th anniversary of Yama Sakura 73, an annual bilateral exercise between service members from the U.S. armed forces and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
This year’s exercise comprised of several elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade and JGSDF, working in conjunction with U.S. Army I Corps and JGSDF North Eastern Army. The exercise scenario featured a fictional aggressive enemy force that required a combined U.S.-JGSDF response. The training focused on the development and refinement of JGSDF, Marine Forces Pacific and U.S. Army Pacific’s efforts in bilateral planning, coordination and interoperability.
3D MEB and JGSDF participation in Yama Sakura 73 in Okinawa was in support of the USARPAC and JGSDF North Eastern Army main effort at Camp Sendai, Sendai, Japan. During the exercise, U.S. military members and JGSDF members exchanged ideas, tactics, techniques, military experiences and culture.