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5th Air Force

Guard and Protect 2023

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) member practices tactical formations in a simulated combat environment with U.S. Air Force members during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. JGSDF members participated in the bilateral exercise, focusing on ground attack scenarios, close-quarter battles, and critical care procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Jones, 35th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, grabs a breaching hammer during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. The four-day exercise allowed military members from both countries to work together, improving bilateral relations and interoperability to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) members approach a simulated hostile compound in a tactical formation during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. This annual exercise brought together members from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, JASDF, U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy to practice defending the base against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Hawkins, 35th Security Force Squadron patrolman, covers two Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members breaching a training door during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. Exercises like this better enable U.S. and Japanese military members to work together during bilateral operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) member passes a breaching axe to another member during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. The exercise provides expeditionary skills training to U.S. and Japanese service members, increasing their interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member covers a hallway during a simulated house raid during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. The four-day exercise allowed military members from both countries to work together, improving bilateral relations and interoperability to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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Guard and Protect 2023

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) member provides medical care to a simulated U.S. Air Force casualty during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. Over thirty members under the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, JGSDF, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force came together for this year’s iteration of Guard and Protect. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Jones, 35th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, rests after performing expeditionary training during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. Guard and Protect is a bilateral agreement, signed in 2003, between the United States and Japanese governments, which states during heightened threats to installations throughout the country, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members will augment security at U.S installations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force members assigned to the 35th Security Forces Squadron perform a low crawl during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. The exercise provides expeditionary skills training to U.S. and Japanese service members, increasing their interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force members practice tactical formations in a simulated combat environment during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. The four-day exercise allowed military members from both countries to work together, improving bilateral relations and interoperability to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members insert gauze into training equipment during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. Over 30 members under the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, JGSDF, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force came together for this year’s iteration of Guard and Protect. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Navy, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members conduct tactical combat casualty care training during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. Tactical combat casualty care is a training that implements the best medical practices in battlefield trauma care to increase injured personnel's survivability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members prepare to shoot from cover during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. The exercise provides expeditionary skills training to U.S. and Japanese service members, increasing their interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard and Protect 2023

U.S. Air Force members assigned to the 35th Security Forces Squadron practice shooting from cover during exercise Guard and Protect at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2023. This annual exercise brought together members from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy to practice defending the base against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks)

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Guard & Protect 2023

Published Nov. 16, 2023
By Senior Airman Antwain Hanks and Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

Members from the 35th Fighter Wing, U.S. Navy, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducted an annual Guard & Protect exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14-17, 2023. The four-day exercise allowed military members from both countries to work together, improving bilateral relations and interoperability to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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