Summer 1999 Photos

1. U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16CJ Wild Weasels (which primarily suppress enemy air defense systems) in exercise KEEN SWORD 99.

2. A USAF F-16 prepares for an exercise sortie at Misawa Air Base, Japan, while a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-1 lands in the background.

3. Lt. Gen. Katsuhiko Iwasaki, Commander of the Northern Air Defense Force, JASDF, greets Lt. Gen. John Hall at Misawa Air Base, while Maj. Gen. Takayuki Yamamoto, Commander of the 3rd Air Wing, salutes.

4. Air Operations also included U.S. Marine Corps aircraft. F/A-18 Hornets from Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxi for a sortie in KEEN SWORD.

5. View from the cockpit of a USAF F-16 during exercise maneuvers in KEEN SWORD 99.

6. Ultimately, KEEN SWORD tested the aerial fighting skills of men, rather than machines. An F/A-18 pilot, Maj. Mike Orr, USMC, examines an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile before an exercise sortie.

7. Lt. Gen. John Hall monitors voice transmissions of a KEEN SWORD aerial dogfight, while Lt. Gen.
Katsuhiko Iwasaki looks on.

1. Exercise FOREST LIGHT 99 was the first time U.S. Marines trained with Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) infantrymen in Japan. About 500 troops from each country took part in 10 days of bilateral training.

2. FOREST LIGHT 99 is opened by Brig. Gen. Jerry Humble, USMC and Lt. Gen. Yoshio Bingo, JGSDF, at Kirishima Training Area, Japan.

3. 1st Sgt. Satoshi Kanumera patrols while clad in JGSDF NBC protective gear.

4. Pfc. Yoshitome Katusi, JGSDF, and LCpl. Jose Acevedo, USMC, compare machine guns during exercise cross-training.

5. A JGSDF soldier briefs U.S. Marines on JGSDF nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) defense procedures.

6. JGSDF soldiers explain the capabilities of their shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon to U.S. Marines.

7. A U.S. Marine reveals a hidden underground hide to JGSDF intelligence soldiers. A hide is dug out by Marine snipers to shelter two men and equipment in hostile territory for concealed living for up to two weeks.

8. A U.S. Marine sniper briefs well-camouflaged JGSDF soldiers before they begin a stalking and hiding exercise.

9. 1st Lt. Takanobu Fukakusa and 1st Lt. William T. Turner hold a discussion during exercise FOREST LIGHT 99.

10. A view of two snipers with faces revealed.

11. Leading Pvt. Naoki Kariya shouts to JGSDF soldiers during an infantry exercise with U.S. Marines.

12. U.S. Navy medics and a simulated wounded Marine demonstrate U.S. combat casualty procedures to JGSDF medics.

13. FOREST LIGHT successfully brought together Japanese and American infantrymen for shared training for the defense of Japan. Capt. Matthew Palma and Maj. Kazuaki Nishi march with their troops.

1. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Haruna (DD 141) (on left) receives an underway fuel replenishment along with the carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), from the USNS Tippecanoe (TAO 199) (in center), during KEEN SWORD 99.

2. Lt. Nobuka Ogaswara observes a demonstration of mission planning by U.S. Navy crew members on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during KEEN SWORD 99.

3. An F/A-18 fighter/attack aircraft soars over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) during an air power demonstration for Japanese officials.

4. A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye radar aircraft flies over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in a carrier air power demonstration for Japanese officials during exercise KEEN SWORD 99.

5. A U.S. Navy S-3 Viking, an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, lands on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during a carrier air power demonstration for Japanese officials.

6. The JDS Myoko (DD 175), a JMSDF destroyer participating in exercise KEEN SWORD 99.