Japanese, US soldiers build friendships over softball

Staff Sgt. Jeffery Mitchell (center) takes a pitch during a softball game pitting soldiers of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, against service members of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force at Yakima Training Center, Sept. 9. The game was played during a break in training from this year’s Rising Thunder combined exercises. These exercises have traditionally offered soldiers of I Corps and now 7th Infantry Division units opportunity to increase language skills, regional expertise and cultural understanding by working with the JGSDF. (Staff Sgt. Mark Miranda)