Pacific Perspective:US Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Field Training

Resolute Dragon 23 began on 14 October 2023 and runs till 31 October.It is the third iteration of the bilateral exercise hosted by III Marine Exepeditionary Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.The Forces will drill in multiple locations across Japan,rehearsing Command,Control and multi-domain manoeuvre capabilities.Concepts such as expeditionary advanced base operations and support to all-domain fleet and joint operations will be practised,showcasing our partnership's ability to deter and counter threats by deploying and dispersing throughout the first island chain,and be postured to fight from anywhere,according to Brig.Gen. Adam Chalkley,USMC,3rd Marines Logistics Group Commander.III MEF will send about 3300 Marines and Sailors to the drills.*RD23FTX will feature many firsts,such as implementing bilateral live-fire between Marine Corps M142 HiMARS and and JGSDF multiple rocket launcher systems.Marines will rehearse rapid infiltration with HiMARS into the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area via Kenebetsu Airfield.This will enhance the lethality of the partnered Forces and train for rapid response to crises as a singular,unified Force.Some 19 installations and facilties will be utilised,from Hokkaido to Kyusha and the Southwestern Islands.In Kyusha,the JGSDF Western Army and III MEF will rehearse tasks as part of a Joint Force Littoral Component Command,strengthening their combined joint response to threats to a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.*Bilateral training will be conducted at Camp Ishigaki,a new facility,including integration of members of the U.S. Army's 1st Multi-Domain Task Force,radar operations;a medical facility supporting casualty evacuation between JGSDF and III MEF;and a subject matter expert exchange for forward air refueling training.So RD23FTX is intended to strengthen bilateral operational capabilities and interoperability between the USMC and JGSDF with an emphasis on air-ground integration and combined arms live-fire training.This leading effort will ensure that both countries can implement their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.*For example,US Marines with 2nd Battalion,2nd Marine Regiment,executed a simulated counterattack for force-on-force training at JGSDF Kirishima Training Area,Miyazaki,Japan on 21 October 2023.The same day,they prepared to ambush a simulated enemy position.On 22 October,they conducted a road sweep (patrol).2nd Btn.,2nd MR is currently forward deployed to the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment,3rd Marine Division.