JASDF, 5th AF commanders participate in bilateral refueling training

A Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15J jet connects to a KC-135 Stratotanker boom during a bilateral refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean, July 11, 2013. The 909th Air Refueling Squadron conducted a bilateral refueling mission with JASDF F-15J jets to help prepare them for an upcoming training exercise, Red Flag Alaska. The mission also gave both services the opportunity to work together in an operational environment which allowed them to adapt to the subtle differences in terminology and language. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins/Released)  

by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins,  18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan  -- The 909th Air Refueling Squadron took to the skies July 11 for a bilateral refueling mission to help prepare Japan Air Self Defense Force pilots for an upcoming training exercise, Red Flag Alaska.

This mission had added emphasis; three top commanders participated in the mission aboard one of Kadena's KC-135 Stratotankers. Flying on the mission was Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, JASDF Southwestern Composite Air Division commander, and Brig. Gen. James B. Hecker, 18th Wing commander.

"This is a great opportunity for both countries," Angelella said. "The 909th is the only active-duty tanker squadron in the Pacific, and this opportunity where we are going to refuel the F-15Js during a training sortie will prepare us for the bilateral deployment to Red Flag Alaska. It's also an opportunity for the Airmen of the two squadrons to get to know each other."

By attending the refueling mission, the generals had the opportunity to see the delicate process of how the aircraft are refueled. Angelella and Sugiyama also had the opportunity to operate the boom used to refuel the different aircraft.

Sugiyama said it's important for the two squadrons to work together and share their knowledge and experience. This training ensures both forces have the opportunity to work together and perfect their skills as a team, he added.

Both U.S. and Japanese pilots had the opportunity to work together in an operational environment which allowed them to adapt to the subtle differences in terminology and language.

Angelella said joint training opportunities improve squadron capabilities, help with preparation for the defense of Japan and help U.S. forces extend the reach of airpower.
Red Flag Alaska is a large coalition exercise that involves different aircraft in complex missions. The exercise provides U.S. and coalition forces an opportunity to train together, improving readiness for wartime coalition missions.

During his visit to Okinawa, Angelella also toured various bases across the island, learning about their missions and how they care for service members and their families, and how they provide for the common defense of Japan.

Japanese Quake HF Comm Freqs

Based on our monitoring ans some additional field reports via twitter and our monitoring team, here is the latest list of HF freqs associated with the earthquake off of the northeast Honshu coast.

Air Self-Defense Force patrol boat and rescue aircraft for Coast Guard (USB)
2130.0 2245.0 2325.0 kHz

SDF CG Search and Rescue (USB)
3151.0 kHz

J SDF Aviation administration emergency frequency (USB)
2770.5 5545.5 10335.5 kHz

J SDF/JMSDF Air Traffic Control Squadron 1 HF Net - Aircraft posit reporting/weather using YL operators (USB)
6727.0 6742.0 6751.0 8977.0 9022.0 11184.0 kHz

J SDF/US Military Search and Rescue Coordination frequency (USB)
4520.0 kHz

Search and Rescue Aircraft/ground liaison (USB)
2182.0 2618.0 2670.0 2820.0 5673.0 5680.0 5690.0 kHz

Japanese Navy XSL Slot machine (MPSK)
3058.0 3075.0 4152.5 4153.0 4231.5 4280.5 4294.5 5643.0 6249.5 6417.0 6418.9 6445.1 6446.0 6500.0 6645.0 6693.0 6738.0 8312.5 8587.5 8704.0 khz

And from Atsu, JE1TRV, A1 Club Secretary, passing along amateur radio frequencies:

"We as an amateur radio operator are gathering and exchanging emergency information on the following frequencies."

"Please kindly keep clean these freqs clear."

3525 kHz +/-5 kHz　
7030 kHz +/-5 kHz　
14100 kHz +/-10 kHz
21200 kHz +/-10 kHz
28200 kHz +/-10 kHz
50.100 51.000 and 51.500 MHz
144.100 145.000 and 145.500 MHz
430.100 433.000 and 433.500 MHz

I will update this list and roll up it up to the top of the blog as new information warrants. Will also update our twitter feed @MilcomMP.

VAQ 136 Prowls at Cope North

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Stacy Brown, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, conducts maintenance on an EA-6B Prowler. VAQ-136 is participating in Cope North, a two-week annual bilateral exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. VAQ-136 is homeported at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corwin Colbert/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Corwin Colbert, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, participated in Exercise Cope North 10-1 Feb. 7-19 at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.

Cope North is a bilateral field exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

VAQ 136 had three EA-6B Prowlers used during the exercise to simulate combat missions against the U.S. Air Force and JASDF.

"This is a good opportunity for all sides to learn how each side operates," said Lt. Dick Rosenbusch, a VAQ 136 naval flight officer.

According to Rosenbusch, the Prowler's primary mission is to support strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within a combat area.

"Think electronic warfare," Rosenbusch said. "The Prowler is not your typical fighter. It is not a strike fighter, which has both air-to-air and air-to-ground strike capabilities. They do have, however, air-to-ground capabilities but that is not the primary mission. The primary mission is to jam enemy radars allowing our strikers to get within range of a target without being shot down."

VAQ 136's maintenance crew spent countless hours making sure the aircraft were safe and operational.

"We start working at 5 in the morning, performing inspections and general service requirements," said Chief Aviation Maintenance (AW) Toby Spanos, with VAQ 136. "Each inspection could be as long as three hours per plane during pre-flight and post-flight. It's an old bird, so the maintenance can be pretty labor intensive."

Cope North provides a venue for cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces and to improve capabilities for the defense of Japan. The primary focus is readiness and coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures between U.S. forces and the JASDF.

JASDF redeployment group bids final farewell

by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Jeff Schiebout guides a Japanese Air Self Defense Force C-130 as they taxi to the runway for their flight home at an air base in Southwest Asia, Feb. 10. Since 2004 the JASDF have been providing airlift for the coalition forces and United Nations in support of Iraqi reconstruction efforts. Mr. Schiebout is assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Transient Alert. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Courtney Richardson)

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- The last of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force redeployment group members lowered their colors for the last time before departing for Japan Feb. 10, bringing an end to the final chapter of the JASDF's Iraq Reconstruction Support Airlift Wing mission after almost five years.

More than a hundred JASDF members had remained behind after the IRSAW mission formally ended in order to restore the facilities they used and ship equipment back to Japan.

"As the commander, I've always told my airmen, 'Leave everything neat and clean behind you,'" JASDF Col. Isami Sagae, JASDF Redeployment Group commander said, summing up the redeployment group's mission. "This is one of the most important values for Japanese. I believe we leave a good reputation behind us."

The JASDF worked alongside coalition forces since 2004, providing airlift for the coalition and United Nations and supporting Iraqi reconstruction efforts. More than 3,600 Japanese airmen have been part of the JASDF contingent here, and it was the first time that the JASDF had deployed overseas for such a long period of time.

Colonel Sagae said the airmen of the IRSAW and the redeployment group completed their mission perfectly.

"Besides the success of airlift operations, redeployment, which is also a first experience for JASDF, has been completed perfectly," he said. "It shows an aspect of our mission capability. I'm proud of our airmen to conclude this historical operation of JASDF."

Col. Paul Feather, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, praised the accomplishments of the JASDF here and said the Japanese people should be proud of their airmen.

"They should be leaving here with a great sense of pride and satisfaction of a job well done," Colonel Feather said. "They have done a meticulous job of standing down this operation."

The Japanese played an indispensable role in airlift operations, Colonel Feather added.

"These guys have played a huge role in what we've done up here," he said. "It was their first big deployment away from home, and it was the first time they could really stretch out their wings and get out there and go, and they've just done an outstanding job."

Both commanders said their units learned important lessons from working together, lessons that will help the U.S. and Japanese forces work better together in the future.

"The way they have conducted themselves has caused us to look at ourselves and how we do business a little closer," Colonel Feather said. "You have to examine yourself when you're watching other pros out there. It allowed us to exchange ideas on how we conduct maintenance, how we fly the missions, how we distribute and collect our intelligence. It allowed us to do an awful lot of training with them and make ourselves more interoperable with them."

Colonel Sagae said his airmen will take not only the lessons they've learned home with them, but the mindset of cooperation.

"You can see the fruits of years of cooperation in here," he said. "'Sessa takuma' is a Japanese expression that means 'learn and improve yourselves by competing positively between good rivals.' JASDF is leaving here before you, but still I'll maintain our readiness for deployments in the future with a 'sessa takuma' mindset between U.S. Forces Japan and the JASDF."

Japanese forces arrive for Red Flag-Alaska

An aircrew from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force exits an F-15 after a July 11 seven-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean from Hyukari Air Base near Tokyo to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The JASDF airmen are participating in Red Flag-Alaska, a multinational air combat training exercise over the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex. (U.S. Air Force photo)

by Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
Red Flag-Alaska Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Airmen from the Land of the Rising Sun arrived in the Land of the Midnight Sun July 11 in preparation for the Red Flag-Alaska air combat training exercise.

After a seven-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean, six Japanese F-15s from Hyakuri Air Base near Tokyo and a U.S. KC-10 Extender carrying 21 Japan Air Self-Defense Force members landed at Eielson Air Force Base under Alaska's sunlit midnight sky.

More than 125 Japanese airmen will work and fly alongside an international force from Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States from July 12 to 27.

The massive land area and varied terrain of the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex, the largest training range in America, provides a vital training environment different from the Japanese airmen's homeland.

The landmass of Japan is comparable to the size of California, but the country consists of thousands of islands. The natural landscape of Japan results in a significant proportion of its airspace being located above water.

Training at the complex allows the Japanese Airmen to train in airspace conditions that parallel the settings of ongoing modern conflicts, said Col. Kyuichiro Tanaka, the flight commander of Red Flag-Alaska's Japanese forces.

The air-to-air combat training of Red Flag-Alaska is expected to provide an almost-real combat experience for Japanese F-15 aircrews. Aggressor squadrons are allied units that adopt the traits, tactics and tendencies of enemy air forces to provide a training environment more realistic than training against traditional allied units.

This is the first time airmen from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force will train against an aggressor squadron, Colonel Tanaka said.

Training at Red Flag-Alaska also gives Japanese airmen an opportunity to exchange tactics and techniques with their cohorts from other nations.

"Red Flag-Alaska fosters military-to-military communication at both the officer and enlisted levels that will help to improve the relationships of the countries involved," said Lt. Col. Brett Pauer, the director of operations for Red Flag-Alaska.

Though the JASDF participates in an annual training exercise with the U.S. Air Force in Japan and regularly receives air-refueling support from U.S. aircraft, they have less experience in a multinational environment. Colonel Tanaka said the cross-military communication of Red Flag-Alaska will help provide that experience.

Red Flag-Alaska's multinational participation and the addition of the Pacific Alaskan Range Complex assets provide realistic combat training in a safe and controlled setting.

"In addition to training on a spectacular range in realistic combat scenarios, we also get the opportunity to exercise with our international partners, which in and of itself is extremely beneficial," said Col. Daniel DeBree, the Red Flag deployed forces commander.