U.S. soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and Japanese soldiers from 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th D More
Local media interview U.S. 1-229th Attack Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade AH-64E Apache pilots and Japanese 3rd Anti-tank Helicopter Battalion AH-64D Apache pilots at the Yakima Training Cent More
U.S. Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and Japanese soldiers with the 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Divi More
U.S. Army snipers assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, observe and train Japanese snipers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japan Ground Self-De More
Members of the 4th Tank Battalion, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force watch illumination rounds slowly fall from the sky ending their day at a tank gunnery range, Sept. 11 at Yakima Training Center, Wash. The t More
Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, move to their vehicles to prepare to train with U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Reg More
U.S. Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, take a break to eat lunch and chat with the members of the 4th Tank Battalion, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forc More
Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, join with units across Joint Base Lewis McChord and Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers during the Operation Rising Thunder More
Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Schmenk, along with Spc. Jimmy D. Dunlap and Spc. Joseph C. Mazzella, all with communications section, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Fires Brigade, connect an armored truck co More
Japanese Maj. Gen. Omori, left, the deputy commanding general of 4th Division, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, walks alongside U.S. Army Col. Hugh D. Bair, the commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Te More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force Capt. Hirohito Akazawa, the 1st Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, shows U.S. Army Spc. Travis Wilson, a signals intelligence analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalio More
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, practice clearing a room prior to maneuvering through the urban assault complex during Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, W More
Stryker crewmembers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, drive onto the range to zero their 105mm cannon at Yakima Training Center, WA., in preparation for qualification tables Sept. 7. The unit is takin More
Hundreds of runners, including more than 50 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers, took part in the third annual Howard’s Medical Army Base Race during a break in Operation Rising Thunder exercises, Sept. 21.
Col. Jeff Bryson, commander of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., addresses his Soldiers and members of the Japan Gro More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force members prepare a Type 10 battle tank for a maneuver training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 3. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder, a combined op More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Cobra anti-tank helicopter takes off from a forward aircraft refueling point en route to engaging targets during a training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 4. More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Cobra anti-tank helicopter fires a TOW missile at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The missile launch was part of a demonstration during Operation Rising Thunder, a comb More
Admiral Harry Harris Jr., United States Pacific Command Commander, with Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps Commander, receive a brief on the Joint Integration Hi-Rain capabilities and the specifics of the High Mob More
A soldier from 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Division, holds miniature U.S. and Japanese flags following the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder Sept. 4 at the Yakim More
U.S. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, fly an AH-64E Apache helicopter along with a Japan Self-Defense Force 3rd Anti-tank Helicopter Battalion AH-64D Apach More
U.S. Army Pfc. Adam Padilla, right, an infantryman with 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, chats and shares family photos with Japanese Sgt. Tomotsugu Sudu, a tank gunner More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy Brashears, a platoon sergeant with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, looks for targets to call out to his gunne More
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Christopher Goodwin, a fire support officer with Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and Japanese 1st Sgt. Teruhiko Tanaka, a forward obse More
Japanese Sgt. 1st Class Ryuji Hira, a sniper with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, covers his ghillie suit with vegetation during a sniper exercise in cooperation with U.S. Army More
A Japanese soldier renders his salute to the flag during an opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 4, 2013. The exercise aimed to improve and validate the Japa More
Japanese Maj. Gen. Omori, left, the deputy commanding general of 4th Division, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, stands alongside U.S. Army Col. Hugh D. Bair, the commander of 3rd Brigade Combat T More
An FH-70 155 mm Howitzer cannon crewmember with 1st Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, 16th Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, braces himself from the back blast after firing a 155mm round down range during Op More
Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, provide cover fire while other members clear buildings in the urban operation complex during Rising Thunder at Yakima More
Stryker crew members with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, get into position to zero their 105mm cannon at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., in preparation for qualification tables Sept. 7, 2013. (U More
Capt. Charles Smith, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, drinks water after finishing a half-marathon. Hundreds of runners, including more than 50 Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers, took part in th More
Col. Takashi Goto, a commander with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, addresses Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McC More
Members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force observe artillery strikes during a maneuver training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 3. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder, a combi More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member guides a Cobra anti-tank helicopter onto a forward aircraft refueling point at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 4. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force range safety and a JGSDF member walk off a range at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder, a combined operation between the More
U.S. Col. Paul A. Mele, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade commander (left), and U.S. Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Lanza, 7th Infantry Division commander (right), talk to the Japanese 3rd Anti-tank Helicopter Battalion comma More
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Douglas Walter, the commander of 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, completes his remarks during the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., Se More
U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Anthony, left, a spotter assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, teaches Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers, with 1 More
Japanese 1st Sgt. Teruhiko Tanaka, a forward observer sergeant, and Sgt. 1st Class Yuji Matsumoto, both with the 16th Infantry Regiment, Heavy Mortar Company, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, determine the a More
U.S. Army Pfc. Adam Padilla, right, an infantryman with 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and Japanese Sgt. Tomotsugu Sudu, a gunner with 4th Tank Battalion, Japanese Gr More
U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Howard, right, a senior sniper, gives pointers Pvt. Derrick Moster, a sniper, on how to prepare camouflage for a ghillie suit prior to a training exercise during Rising Thunder at the Yak More
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Lanza, left, the commander of 7th Infantry Division, greets Japanese Maj. Gen. Takeyoshi Omari, the deputy commander, 4th Division, prior to the opening ceremony for Operation Rising More
A U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicle assigned to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, rumbles across a range during a live-fire training exercise More
At right, Sgt. 1st Class David K. Costantini, the tactical operating center noncommissioned officer in charge with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Fires Brigade, discusses tactical operations with s More
Japanese Maj. Gen. Omori, left, the deputy commanding general, 4th Division, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, bows his head in a moment of silence alongside U.S. Army Col. Hugh D. Bair, the comma More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force cannon crewmembers with 1st Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, prepare and fire an FH-70 155mm Howitzer during Operation Rising Thunder 13 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. More
U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Miller, a range safety assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, observes Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, maneuver thro More
Stryker crew members with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, fire and zero their 105mm cannon at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., in preparation for qualification tables Sept. 7, 2013. (U.S. Army pho More
Soldiers from 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., participate in the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Wash., More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 10 battle tank observes an artillery strike during a maneuver training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 3. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thund More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members prepare ammunition to be loaded into the 20mm cannon on a Cobra anti-tank helicopter at a forward aircraft refueling point at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 4. The More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 10 battle tanks demonstrate firing while maneuvering at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The maneuver was part of a demonstration during Operation Rising Thunder, a c More
Japanese soldiers at an observation point look on as a U.S. 1-229th Attack Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade AH-64E Apache and Japanese 3rd Anti-tank Helicopter Battalion AH-64D Apache prepare More
Soldiers with the 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Division, stand at attention while the U.S. and Japanese colors are retired during an opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thu More
The 16th Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Regimental Combat Team color guard stands in front of the formation rendering a salute as both national anthems play during an opening ceremony for Operation Rising T More
The color guard with the 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, stand in front of the formation rendering a salute as the national anthems for the U.S. and Japan play during an opening cer More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy Brashears, a platoon sergeant with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, looks across a range while conducting a li More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mitchell Shaw, assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, evaluates snipers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japan Ground Self-D More
Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, join with units across Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers during the Operation Rising Thunder More
Pfc. Zachary F. Ross, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Fires Brigade, helps lift an antennae into place during Operation Rising Thunder outside the HHB tactical operating cent More
Japanese Maj. Gen. Omori, center, the deputy commanding general of 4th Division, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, places a wreath at the Arrowhead Brigade Memorial as a sign of respect to the fal More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force cannon crewmembers with 1st Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, fire an FH-70 155mm Howitzer during Operation Rising Thunder 13 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5, 2013. Th More
Soldiers assigned to B Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, practice clearing a room prior to maneuvering through the urban assault complex at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 6. The soldiers are More
Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, traverse open areas and clear buildings in the urban operation complex during Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center More
Stryker crew members with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, fire and zero their 105mm cannon at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., in preparation for qualification tables Sept. 7, 2013. (U.S. Army phot More
The offical party arrives at the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Wash., Sept. 2. Operation Rising Thunder allowed Soldiers to train with the Japan Ground Self De More
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force call in artillery strikes during a maneuver training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 3. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder, a comb More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member assists in maintaining the 20mm cannon on a Cobra anti-tank helicopter at a forward aircraft refueling point at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 4. The exercise was More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 96 multi purpose missile system fires a TOW missile at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The missile launch was part of a demonstration during Operation Rising Thund More
Adm. Harry Harris Jr., United States Pacific Command commander, with Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps commander, receive a brief on the Joint Integration Hi-Rain capabilities and the specifics of the High Mobili More
A soldier with the 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Division, holds miniature U.S. and Japanese flags following the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at the Yakima Tr More
U.S. Army Pfc. Nathanial Hanson, a gunner with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, loads and checks his .50-caliber machine gun prior to heading More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mitchell Shaw, left, assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, evaluates Japanese Master Sgt. Kazunori Takao and snipers with the 16 More
U.S. Army Sgt. Kenneth Chambers, left, a fire support noncommissioned officer, Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, marks mortar round impact locations on a More
U.S. soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and members of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force from 16th Japanese Ground Self Defense More
Japanese Maj. Gen. Omori, center, the deputy commanding general of 4th Division, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, bows before the Arrowhead Brigade Memorial as a sign of respect to the fallen Sol More
Japanese cannon crew members with the 1st Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, prepare to fire an FH-70—155mm Howitzer during operation Rising Thunder 13 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5, 2013. (U.S. Ar More
Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, provide security while other team members clear buildings in the urban operation complex during Rising Thunder at Yaki More
Hiroshi Takahashi, a Japanese soldier, approaches the finish line of a half-marathon to grab third place with a time of one hour, 25 minutes. Hundreds of runners, including more than 50 Japanese Ground Self-Def More
Members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force participate in the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Wash., Sept. 2. Operation Rising Thunder allowed Soldiers to tr More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Cobra anti-tank helicopter pilot prepares to take off from a forward aircraft refueling point en route to engaging targets during a training exercise at Yakima Training Center, More
A TOW missile fired from a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 96 multi purpose missile system arcs toward a target at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The exercise was part of Operation Rising Thunder, More
A soldier with the 16th Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Division, raises his hat while sitting on the shoulders of a fellow soldier during a group photo following the opening ceremon More
Japanese soldiers with the 16th Regimental Combat Team, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, pull security as U.S. Soldiers with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd More
U.S. Army Sgt. Kenneth Chambers, a fire support noncommissioned officer with Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, marks mortar round impact locations on a ma More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mitchell Shaw, left, with 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, delivers a safety brief and training information to Japanese snipers with th More