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Tropic Lightning News for 1 March 2001
 Photo(s) by Sgt. Lauren Reader Pfc. Kendrick Stewart, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. rifleman practices skiing down a slope while Soldiers from the 27th Inf. Rgt., 5th Inf. Div. Japanese Ground Self Defense Force observe and offer tips. | Wolfhounds learn 'ups' and 'downs' of skiing By Sgt. Lauren Reader HOKKAIDO, Japan - From seemingly out of nowhere, a pair of skis slid down the slope straight into the path of a skiing Soldier, causing him to crash into the ground. "I've been ambushed!" yelled Sgt. 1st Class Allen DeForde, acting first sergeant for Company B, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. The pair of skis belonged to a Soldier having some skiing difficulties on the adjacent hill. This was a common scene the first day of bilateral ski training between the Wolfhounds and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force during North Wind 01. "We will all have many bruises after today," DeForde said, "We are learning a lot of their techniques. This is some of the Soldier’s first time in conditions like this." Some of the ski techniques the Japanese taught the Wolfhounds included down hill skiing, turning, stopping and skiing with and without poles. "It’s our pleasure to teach the American Soldiers. They are good students and can now fight in the winter and summer," said Maj. (Capt. equivalent in U.S. Army) Yoshifumi Nakamura, Co. 2, 27th Inf. Rgt, 5th Infantry Division of the JGSDF, commander. It’s been eight years since Pvt. 2 Travis Culjat, rifleman for Co. B, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. has put on a pair of skis. "I’ve just been watching what the Japanese do, they definitely make it look easy," Culjat said. The JGSDF were quick to come to the aid of fallen Wolfhounds, helping them put their skis back on and showing them basic ski maneuvering. "Bilateral training is always an asset to us. We learn about their cultures and how they train. My Soldiers are so excited to be working with them," DeForde said. Over the past few weeks, the Wolfhounds have conducted other bilateral training with their counterparts including, individual and squad level battle drills, movement and infiltration and constructing a defensive firing position. |
