Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

A U.S. Air Force crew chief marshals a C-17 Globemaster III at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2016, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

Japan Air Self-Defense Force members watch their Electric Power Plant vehicle after completing a tie-down at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2016, during the Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

(Right to left) U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ashley Dennis and A1c Galdamez Moran, both with the 730th Air Mobility Squadron air freight technicians, secure a tie-down chain on a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Electric Power Plant vehicle Nov. 6, 2016 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

(Left to right) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nelson Jones and Airman 1st Class Lauren Sheppard, both with the 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 loadmasters, secure a tie-down chain on a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Electric Power Plant vehicle Nov. 6, 2016 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ashley Dennis, 730th Air Mobility Squadron air freight technician, secures a tie-down chain on a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Electric Power Plant vehicle Nov. 6, 2016 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo- Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

(Center) Japan Air Self-Defense Force Staff Sgt. Tomohiro Kohama, 10th Fire Unit, cuts a blanket at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2016, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. JASDF members from the 3rd Air Defense Missile Group 10th Fire Unit loaded an Electric Power Plant vehicle onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at first time. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Lauren Sheppard, 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 loadmaster, secures a tie-down chain on a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Electric Power Plant vehicle Nov. 6, 2016 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time the vehicle loading onto a C-17. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Electric Power Plant vehicle with the 10th Fire Unit, Chitose Air Base is driven in reverse onto a U.S Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2016, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. This is the first time to an EPP vehicle loading onto USAF aircraft. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. All participating units train in a comprehensive scenario that is designed to practice the critical capabilities and interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Keen Sword 2017: US and JASDF Airman teamup to tie-down cargo

(Left to right) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nelson Jones, 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 loadmaster, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Master Sgt. Shiro Suzuki, 10th Fire Unit Chitose Air Base, check a JASDF Electric Power Plant vehicle before loading onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2016, during the exercise Keen Sword 2017. Units from the U.S. military conduct training with their Japan Self-Defense Forces counterparts at military installations throughout Japan, the Mariana Islands and in the surrounding waters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe/Released)

Japan Air Self Defense Force Electrical Power Plant vehicle takes to the skies for first time via USAF C-17

Published Nov. 10, 2016
By Maj. George Tobias
5th Air Force Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- For the first time ever a Japan Air Self Defense Force Electrical Power Plant vehicle took to the skies aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Yokota Air Base, Japan on Nov. 6, 2016.

The vehicle along with five members of the Japan Self Defense Force were flown from Yokota Air Base to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni during Exercise Keen Sword 2017.

A week prior, on Oct. 27, in preparation for the exercise the JSDF brought, in addition to the Electrical Power Plant vehicle, a Light Armored Vehicle, Radar and Launching Station Trailers, and two MRAPs to the Mobility Center on Yokota AB where they were weighed and marked by the 374th Logistic Readiness Squadron.

This is done to get the gross weight and the center of balance of the equipment and vehicles, said Master Sgt. William Padden, Superintendent, Programs and Exercises, Logistics and Engineering Directorate, 5th Air Force.

Along with the JSDF, members of the 730th Air Mobility Squadron were also there to get familiar with the vehicles. The next day, the 730 AMS loaded the vehicles and equipment on a USAF C-17, while the Japanese observed the loading operation.

“It provides the Japanese a unique opportunity to use our aircraft to deploy their equipment,” said Padden. “It makes them more mobile and makes us both more interoperable.”

Since 2012, in response to the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and radiological disaster, the JSDF has been working with the USAF to get their equipment certified to enable them to be loaded and flow on USAF airlift aircraft, such as the C-130, C-17 and the C-5, said Jeffrey Little, Logistics and Installations Directorate, U.S. Forces, Japan.

“It’s great training for us,” said Little. “When we get a vehicle we are not familiar with, we have to come up with different ways to tie them down and make them airworthy.”

Of the loading and transportation of the Electrical Power Plant vehicle and its flight to Iwakuni, Padden said, “Everything went well, and there was a lot of good coordination between 5 AF, USFJ, Japan Air Self Defense Force, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, the 730 AMS and the 374 LRS.”

“In the end, it all came together and was a successful event,” he added.

Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral field training exercise between the United States and Japan designed to allow both counties to practice and evaluate their coordination procedures and interoperability requirements. Exercises like Keen Sword strengthen Japan-U.S. military interoperability and meet mutual defense objectives. It also increases readiness to respond to varied crisis situations.