Paratroopers from the British Army’s Global Response Force have been training with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. During the “Vigilant Isles 24” exercise, more than 100 soldiers from the 16th Air Assault Brigade trained in Japan together with the 12th Brigade of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) and the 1st Airborne Brigade.
The British contingent that took part in the two-week exercises from 15 to 26 January concentrated on defensive operations and consisted of the paratroopers of B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (B Coy, 3 PARA) based in Colchester.
“Exercise ‘Vigilant Isles‛ is about British and Japanese soldiers training together to be ready for a joint operation. With the participation of airborne and air assault units from both nations, we have a similar mindset and similar capabilities from the outset, which has led to a very natural partnership, both on and off the field,” said the Commanding Officer of B Coy 3 PARA, Major Iain Thompson.
At the mountainous Hijyudai training area on Kyushu, training began with familiarization of each other’s equipment and tactics before a three-day mission to practice repelling an enemy invasion. While Japanese paratroopers parachuted to secure a landing zone, soldiers from B Coy 3 PARA and the 12th Brigade landed from Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters of the JGSDF. The troops advanced on foot over hills and through high and dense grasslands, working in coordination to find and attack enemy positions and retake the area.
The planning of the joint exercise was shaped by the British ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) capabilities. The electronic warfare specialists of the 14th Signal Regiment monitored enemy communications to track the enemy’s location, while the unmanned Puma aircraft of the 32nd Regiment of the Royal Artillery provided air surveillance.
Thompson continued: “The training we have undergone with the Japanese has improved our mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities, but will also benefit our soldiers in their next challenge. Training in such an unfamiliar and demanding environment and learning from the way the Japanese work in these conditions will only enhance our capabilities.”
At the exercise’s closing ceremony, Major General Masaki Maejima, Commander of the 12th Brigade, said that the troops of both nations had “improved capabilities together”. He also held out the prospect of further cooperation in the near future: “Based on the results of this exercise, we will make further efforts to strengthen our relations and improve our operational capabilities so that we can face all eventualities together.”
The Vigilant Isles exercise, which took place for the third time, is part of the deepening military relationship between the UK and Japan based on a shared commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region. The UK is the only European country able to conduct bilateral military exercises in Japan.
