Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and Soldiers of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force march to their next objective during a Field Training Exercise on Oct. 31 as part of Orient Shield 2012. Orient Shield is an annual bilateral training event held in Japan between US forces and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force to foster a working relationship between the two Pacific partners.
Orient Shield in an annual training exercise executed in Japan between the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) and United States Army. Since 1985, it has focused on development and refinement of systems and tactics in order to enhance bilateral tactical planning, coordination, and interoperability. The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral combat effectiveness at the battalion and brigade levels while strengthening military-to-military relationships and demonstrating American commitment to support regional security interests. Rotating between JGSDF divisions of the five Regional Armies, Orient Shield leverages the unique capabilities of the training units to provide for ever-increasing tactical complexity and realism.
