Japan - US coordinate amphibious exercise to retake island

The amphibious unit of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) conducted a joint exercise with the US Marine Corps. Photo: AP

The exercise on Tanegashima Island is aimed at enhancing coordination between the allies. At around 6 a.m. on October 14, five ships carrying members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade departed the transport ship Osumi off Tanegashima and landed on the island.

Japanese and US forces also conducted exercises to regain control of an airport on an enemy-held island, with US troops landing from SDF CH-47 helicopters.

The exercise, which involves about 220 GSDF members and 10 members of the U.S. Marine Corps, is the first amphibious landing exercise to be conducted in Japan, and follows one in Hawaii this summer. The joint exercise is scheduled to last until tomorrow, October 15.

“We have improved our ability to conduct amphibious missions and this exercise has given us satisfaction,” Major Keisuke Komatsu, commander of the Japanese amphibious unit conducting the exercise at the airport, said in a statement.

For his part, speaking to the press, Colonel Mark Clingan, deputy commander of the 3rd US Marine Division, expressed hope that this exercise would help strengthen cooperation with the Japanese amphibious unit.

Although Japan-China relations have shown signs of warming, the two countries still disagree over the Senkaku/Diaoyu island chain in the East China Sea./.