Back to 1st Battalion In the News
Tropic Lightning -- 16 November 2000
 Photo(s) by Staff Sgt. Michael C. Westerfield A mortarman from HHC, 1st Bn., 27th Inf., watches as a Japanese mortar crew demonstrates their techniques during mortar training. | Soldiers, Japanese troops rock island during mortar training By Staff Sgt. Michael C. Westerfield AIBANO TRAINING AREA, Japan - As the truck stops, Soldiers start removing equipment and within minutes the truck speeds off empty. The team of Soldiers work quickly and quietly to set up their equipment. Few words are spoken, as the team speeds through a series of tasks. A few minutes later, the team leader yells back to the headquarters element in Japanese, "Mortar one ready!" U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, watched as Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces demonstrated their skills as part of bilateral training during Operation Keen Sword 2001 here. The two forces compared doctrine and techniques as the allies worked to refine and improve bilateral operations. U.S. and Japanese servicemembers also used the event to build friendships and serve as goodwill ambassadors for their countries. "My troops can learn a lot from these guys," said 1st Lt. Eric W. Widmar, 81mm mortar platoon leader, with 1st Bn., 27th Inf. "Few commands were given. This was a very impressive drill. These [Japanese] Soldiers are very team oriented. In no other profession is teamwork as important."v The Japanese Soldiers demonstrated their skills with 81mm and 107mm mortars. Some of the Soldiers concentrated on watching the specific actions of their counterparts as others watched the teams as a whole. "I always like to think I’m the best gunner," said Spc. David M. Anderson, 4th squad gunner. "I want to see what they have. They really work as a team. They seem to know what each other needs before anyone asks. We could learn from that." After the initial demonstrations, squads teamed up with their counterparts and took part in firing drills. The competitive spirit took over as teams started timing each other on various mortar tasks. "Soldiers around the world are all the same," said Staff Sgt. Joseph B. Hill, Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. 60mm section sergeant. At lunch, U.S. and Japanese Soldiers exchanged Meals, Ready to Eat. The Soldiers experienced the culinary differences of field rations including wasabi and tabasco. "What’s this?" was the most frequently asked question, as Soldiers learned about the unfamiliar foods. When training resumed, the American mortar teams put on a demonstration of U.S. doctrine. "I want to learn how the U.S. Army fights," said Takashi Yamasaki, loader with the 15th Regiment 2nd Combined Brigade, Middle Army, 81mm Mortar Group. "I think they might learn from us too." "Our strength is the flexibility of our doctrine," said Widmar. "Rather than being linear, we are irregular by design. We take advantage of the terrain and instead of fighting the plan, we concentrate on fighting the enemy." |
