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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops train in a live-fire facility during 2014 Rising Thunder exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with units from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and 7 More
Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe, the Eastern Army Commander of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, the commander of I Corps, make their way to a commanders briefing on JBLM, Wash., Sept. 4 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
Japan Ground Self Defense Force field artillery troops conduct FH-70 howitzer live-fire training during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with units from Jo More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops train at an urban assault course with Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment Sept. 6, during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanes More
Spc. Joshua Williams stands between a U.S. Soldier and Japanese troops at an impromptu lesson on some of the special artillery the U.S. possesses, while on a lunch break during Operation Rising Thunder 2014 at More
Members of the 4-23 Infantry Regiment conducted live-fire training with Japanese troops of 12th Brigade in Stryker's and Paladins during Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 9. Opera More
A Japanese troop fires at a target during Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 10. Operation Rising Thunder brings together Soldiers with 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantr More
Spc. Joshua Williams, with Det. 1, Alpha Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, translates for members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force before they begin training with multiple U.S. forces at Yak More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, piloted by soldiers of the 66th Theater Aviation Command, flies side-by-side with an AH-60 Cobra helicopter, piloted by members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces, as part of th More
U.S. Army soldiers and members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force participate in the Howard's Medical Supply Army Base Half-Marathon, 5k run and walk to benefit Cottage in the Meadows with Memorial Hospice More
A Japanese festival drums group performs for Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment and Japanese service members of 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force during a visit to the Seattle Nise More
Col. Jeff Bryson (left), commander of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2-2 SBCT and Col. Takashi Goto, a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force commander, raise a Japanese ceremonial gift during the closing cere 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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops train inside a live-fire "shoot house" during 2014 Rising Thunder exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with units from Joint Base Lewis-McCh More
Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe, the Eastern Army Commander of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, the commander of I Corps, attend a wreath laying ceremony the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 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
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops learn about Stryker vehicles from Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military pe More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe (right) greets I Corps commanding general Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises, Sept. 6. The annual training partners Japanese milita More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops play softball with Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with un More
Spc. Joshua Williams translates for U.S. and Japanese troops during an impromptu class on some of the U.S. artillery during Operation Rising Thunder 2014 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 8. Williams, a l More
Members of the 4-23 Infantry Regiment run to cover during an urban assault course during Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 8. Operation Rising Thunder brings together Soldiers wit More
Spc. Kevin Ryan, 4-23 Infantry Regiment, looks through his scope at a target in the distance, while Spc. Anhtuan Nguyen takes notes during Operation Rising Thunder at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 10. Op More
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force are instructed by Sgt. Joe Ellefson, with the 66th Theater Aviation Command, to board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as part of the training they have been conducting More
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, piloted by soldiers with 66th Theater Aviation Command, sling loads a military vehicle for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces during the final exercise of Operation Rising Thunder More
World War II veteran Sam Mitsui (right) speaks to Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment and Japanese service members of 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force during a visit to the Seattle More
U.S. Army soldiers and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force participate in the Howard's Medical Supply Army Base Half-Marathon, 5k run and walk to benefit Cottage in the Meadows with Memorial Hospice More
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force play bugle to signal the start of the Operation Rising Thunder closing ceremony at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 22, 2014. Operation Rising Thunder allowed 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 field artillery troops train alongside Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during 2014 Rising Thunder exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military pers 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
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops train at an urban assault course Sept. 6, during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises at Yakima Training Center, Wash. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel wi More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops train inside a live-fire facility during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises, Sept. 6. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with units from Joint Base Lewis- More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops attend a cookout hosted by Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel More
Spc. Joshua Williams stands beside a Japanese troop while observing the U.S. conduct the urban assault course during Operation Rising Thunder 2014 at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 8. Williams, a linguist More
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force wait for takeoff in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, piloted by soldiers with 66th Theater Aviation Command, while conducting training at Yakima Training Center on Sept More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces AH-60 Cobra helicopter flies over Yakima, Wash., during their final training exercise of Operation Rising Thunder. The Cobra is accompanied by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters fr More
Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment sit down to lunch with Japanese service members of 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force during a visit to the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee. The v More
U.S. Army soldiers and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force run back to formation after receiving awards during the Operation Rising Thunder closing ceremony at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 22 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
Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment train inside a "shoot house" during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises, Sept. 6. The annual training partners Japanese military personnel with units from Joint Base More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops demonstrate Taiko festival drumming for Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners Japanese milit More
Soldiers with 66th Theater Aviation Command transport a Jeep, belonging to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 17, 2014. Soldiers with 6 More
Sgt. Joel Duval, a flight engineer with the 66th Theater Aviation Command, gives a five minute warning to members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces on board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as part of the Risin More
Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment gathered with Japanese service members of 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force during a visit to the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee. The visit is b More
U.S. Army soldiers and members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force stand in formation during the Operation Rising Thunder closing ceremony at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 22, 2014. Operation Rising T 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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops and Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment observe live-fire training during 2014 Rising Thunder exercises. The annual training partners Japanese military perso 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
Japan Ground Self Defense Force troops train alongside Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment at an urban assault course, Sept. 6, during 2014 Rising Thunder Exercises. The annual training partners J More
Members with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force receive a safety brief by Sgt. Joe Ellefson, with the 66th Theater Aviation Command, before boarding a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as part of their training at Yaki More
An officer with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces tries on an American soldier's Improved Outer Tactical Vest while waiting to be picked up in a CH-47 Chinook, piloted by soldiers with the 66th Theater Aviat More
Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe (standing right), commanding general of the Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, is shown an anti-tank weapon system at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. The demonstration More
Spc. Joshua Williams, with Det. 1, Alpha Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, translates between Japanese and U.S. forces during a safety brief at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 17, 2014. Membe More
Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe, commanding general of the Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Maj. Gen. James Boozer, commanding general of the U.S. Army Japan, receive a briefing at Yakima Training Cente More
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member wears an American flag patch given to him by a Soldier at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Sept. 5. Exchanging patches is a tradition between friendly military that helps More
Lt. Gen. Koichi Isobe, commanding general of the Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Maj. Gen. James Boozer, commanding general of the U.S. Army Japan, discuss the Type 10 battle tank with repres More