U.S. soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry

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 Force Regimental Combat Team, 4th Division, stand in formation during the opening ceremony for Operation Rising Thunder Sept. 4 at Yakima Training Center, Wash. The forces stood together as they prepared to begin the annual month-long training exercise. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the training partnership designed to improve and validate the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and I Corps and 7ID’s combat readiness as a combined joint task force. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Miriam Espinoza-Torres, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)