The annual command post exercise YAMA SAKURA in Japan brings together U.S. officers from HQ I Corps and U.S. Army Japan with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officers to simulate military activities for the bilateral defense of Japan.

The U.S. Army’s 836th Transportation Battalion (836th TB) based at Yokohama, Japan, has the U.S. military experts in port and water terminal operations in Japan. As such, they are key participants in any peacetime or wartime operation. Members of 836th TB experienced YAMA SAKURA’s bilateral cooperation first hand, right from the beginning of the exercise planning conferences. Capt. David J. Preston, Battalion Operations Officer, coordinated frequently with the JGSDF logistics personnel regarding such matters as: port information and accessibility, Main Supply Route (MSR) information, vessel convoy security from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the negotiations for unilateral and bilateral ports and MSRs.

During the exercise, the members of the battalion in Japan interacted often with their JGSDF counterparts. This interaction was beneficial to both countries’ military personnel as they shared ideas and learned from each other. Lt. Col. Kathi L. Kreklow, Commander of the 836th TB, described the bilateral experience by saying, “Our Japanese counterparts were gracious hosts. Not only did we work to build on the already solid foundation that we enjoy between our two countries, but the Japanese community also opened their homes to us. They demonstrated their cultural disciplines and taught us the common courtesies of day-to-day living in Japan.”