For the 20th year, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) units have combined to work with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

This year, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and several other units partnered with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division of the JGSDF to participate in Operation Rising Thunder.

"We're here to help them with whatever they need," Capt. James Vansandt, B Company's commander, said.

"We're here for them; we can flex and bend to help them get the training they need.  They are very good soldiers."

The Japanese military sent about 500 soldiers to practice large-scale maneuvers they cannot perform in their country.

About 800 soldiers from JBLM participated in the training.

"We're building partner capacities with our allies," Maj. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander 7th Infantry Division, said.

"We're putting our focus on the Pacific."

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Platoon, B Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment trained in last week’s hot weather.

If training in stiflingly hot weather where the mercury was near 100 degrees was part of the goal, then both the Japanese and American soldiers bore that burden easily.

"It is hot," Maj. Hironori Kikuchi said as he waited for his three platoons to move forward onto a training range.

"But the training is good, very good, and we are very happy to be here."

The training ranged from basic infantry movements and the calling in of field artillery to coordinating air strikes on targets and sniper training.

"The JGSDF can't do sniper training at home," 1st Lt. Joseph Fink, the battalion's spokesperson said.  

"So when they come here they get the chance to train with our snipers; the camaraderie and training have been good for both units."

Nearby, Staff Sgt. Matt Chromey, 2nd Platoon's weapons squad leader, watched as his soldiers climbed into a Stryker in preparation with working with JGSDF infantry.

"The training has been great for both us and them," he said.  "It doesn't get any better than this."

Spc. Travis Wilson and 2nd Lt. Shelton Thelisomon, 2nd Platoon, B Company, talk with one of their counterparts of 1st Platoon, 16th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force.

2nd Lt. Shelton Thelisomon, 2nd Platoon, B Company, talks with a couple of soldiers assigned to 1st Platoon, 16th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force.

After a day of training at the Yakima Training Center, soldiers assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment go over what their training objectives.