Photo: MSGT. MARVIN KRAUSE, USAF

The Commander of 5th Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Col. Shibata, briefs the Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, Lt. Gen. John Hall, USAF concerning a JGSDF armor engagement during exercise ORIENT SHIELD 99.

he U.S. commitment to defend Japan is the subject of a key 1960 mutual defense treaty. Periodically, bilateral military exercises are conducted in Japan to support this U.S. commitment. Defense of Japan was the focus of a recent cluster of bilateral ground, air and maritime field training exercises between Japanese and U.S. forces. Exercise ORIENT SHIELD 99 (Army ground), FOREST LIGHT 99 (Marine ground), KEEN SWORD (air), and KEEN SWORD/ANNUALEX 99 (maritime) all took place in or near Japan in November 1998. The articles which follow describe these exercises.