Paratroopers from the British Army’s global response force have joined forces with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen the relationship between the two nations’ militaries.Â
Exercise Vigilant Isles 24 saw more than 100 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade train in Japan alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) 12th Brigade and 1st Airborne Brigade.
With a focus on defensive operations, the British contingent deployed on the two-week-long drills (15 to 26 January) was built around the paratroopers of Colchester-based B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (B Coy, 3 PARA).
At the mountainous Hijyudai training area on Kyushu, the training started with learning about each other’s equipment and tactics before deploying on a three-day mission to practice countering a hostile invasion.
With Japanese paratroopers jumping in to secure a landing zone, B Coy 3 PARA and 12th Brigade soldiers landed from JGSDF Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters. Advancing on foot up steep hills and across tall and thick grassland, the troops worked in co-ordination to find and strike enemy positions assault and recapture territory.Â
The joint forces’ planning was shaped by British Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. Electronic warfare specialists from 14 Signal Regiment monitored enemy communications to track their location, with Puma uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery providing eyes in the sky.
Major Iain Thompson, Officer Commanding B Coy 3 PARA, said: âExercise Vigilant Isles is about British and Japanese soldiers training together to be ready to operate together. With airborne and air assault units from each nation taking part, we started out with a similar mindset and skills that helped to create a very natural partnership, both in the field and off duty. Â
âThe training we have done with the Japanese has developed our understanding of each other’s capabilities but will also benefit our soldiers whatever their next challenge is. Training in such an unfamiliar and demanding environment and learning from how the Japanese operate in these conditions will only improve our skills.âÂ
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