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Japanese soldiers and Marines bade farewell to each other as the exercise ended. Both forces shared one last meal together and watched a live drumming performance by a Japanese ceremonial drum unit. The Marines and their families were invited to come back and enjoy the hospitality of Hokkaido.

After a few days recuperating and some final preparations, the Marines of 3/8 headed to Pohang, Republic of Korea, to conduct mountain warfare training with the Korean Marines.

A U.S. Marine mortarman sights in his 60-mm mortar during the live-five portion of Exercise FOREST LIGHT in Japan.

The 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, also participated in FOREST LIGHT but in the final training evolution with the JGSDF 10th Infantry Regiment, 11th Division, at Camp Mokomanai in Hokkaido. While most Americans were sitting down to a turkey dinner or watching football during the Thanksgiving holiday, JGSDF and the U.S. Marines were practicing patrolling and evasive night movements in freezing temperatures.

The Marines ended their part of FOREST LIGHT with a helicopter-borne assault in Japanese UH-1 Hueys. The JGSDF pilots flew the company into the landing zones in six waves. The Marines moved quickly on the ground and into the woods of the northern training area to secure the final objective.

"When my unit linked up with the Marines’ helicopter-borne assault, we were able to accomplish the mission through flexibility," said Col. Toshihiro Miyashito, JGSDF Regimental Commander, 10th Regiment.

The Marines were taught a few Japanese words so they could understand what the crew chiefs were telling them as they approached their landing zones.

"The skills that were learned throughout this training will help to make the 10th Regiment and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, better units," said Lt. Col. Joseph L. Osterman, battalion commander, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines. "The Marines learned a great deal from their counterparts and will use these techniques in the future."

"We accomplished the expected goals through close cooperation and the common value that we will defend each country’s justice and freedom," Col. Miyashito said. "The lessons learned will greatly improve future training."

The training exercise concluded with a formal ceremony 25 November on the Camp Mokomanai parade deck and an informal party afterward. The Marines and 10th Regiment soldiers ate both American and Japanese food and sang songs to cap off the night and their training together.

"The bonds that were built will last a lifetime," Lt. Col Osterman concluded.