Japan, U.S., Australia To Hold 1st Joint Aviation Training In Guam
TOKYO (Kyodo)--Japan's Air Self-Defense Force said Friday it will conduct joint training with the U.S. and Australian air forces for the first time in February in Guam, in a move believed to be aimed at keeping in check the rise of the Chinese military in the Asia-Pacific region.
The drill, which will take place over the U.S. Andersen Air Force Base on Guam between Feb. 11 and 24, will involve 330 ASDF members, eight of its F-2 fighters, six F-15 fighters and three E-2C airborne early warning aircraft, according to the ASDF.
ASDF Chief of Staff Gen. Shigeru Iwasaki said at a press conference it is important for Japan to ''strengthen its partnership with Australia, in view of the situation in the Pacific.''
The training exercise, which will cover aerial combat and defense, and electronic warfare, will also be held at a bombing range near the Andersen base, the ASDF said.
Japan's National Defense Program Guidelines, last updated in late 2010, state Tokyo intends to strengthen its defense cooperation not only with its key ally, the United States, but also with South Korea and Australia.
In July last year, the ASDF conducted a joint drill with the Australian air force for the first time.
Members of the Australian Army will also take part as observers in a Japan-U.S. joint command post exercise scheduled to begin later this month at a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force garrison in Itami, Hyogo Prefecture, and other places, according to the GSDF.
