U.S. Pacific Command deputy commander visits Japan, highlights combined readiness
The deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command visited Japan to commence Exercise Keen Sword 2027 and meet with senior military and government leaders, Oct. 18-21.
In Ishigaki, Lt. Gen. George Rowell delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of Keen Sword 2027, a biennial bilateral field training exercise with multinational participation, designed to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force.
"Today, four decades strong, Keen Sword stands as the absolute pinnacle of combat-ready exercises in the Pacific, with the most capable and consequential Alliance in the world training alongside our international partners," said Rowell during his speech at the opening ceremony. "Over the coming days, I have no doubt that we will train as one team to test our concepts, refine our command and control, and validate our ability to deter aggression and prevail in crisis or conflict."
Approximately 45,000 Japan Self-Defense Force, 11,000 U.S. service members and forces from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines are participating alongside observers from the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom throughout the duration of the exercise from Oct. 19-29.
Keen Sword 2027 will take place in and around Okinawa, Sakashima Islands, Tanegashima, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and in surrounding waters and airspace. This is the 18th iteration of the biennial field training exercise. Training includes air and missile defense, facility protection and repair, logistics and resupply, casualty evacuation, and maritime operations.
During his visit, Rowell also traveled to Kadena Air Base, where he met with III Marine Expeditionary Unit leadership and Soldiers assigned to the 3d Multi-Domain Task Force. The engagement provided an opportunity to connect with Soldiers participating in Keen Sword, during which the unit will employ its capabilities to validate multi-domain integration and strengthen interoperability with Japan and other participating nations.
In Tokyo, Rowell met with senior military and government leaders, including Japan’s Administrative Vice Minister of Defense Mr. Taro Yamato; Japan Joint Staff Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Norimichi Shirakawa; JSDF Joint Operations Command Commander Adm. Tateki Tawara and Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Fumio Fujioka; and U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass.
The U.S.-Japan Alliance is built on shared interests, values and a commitment to regional stability. Both nations continue to strengthen bilateral coordination and multilateral cooperation with regional partners to help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Pacific Command is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.
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