Benkyoukai
Partnership Week consisted of a JASDF visit to VFA-195's hangar at Naval
Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, three days of intensive Dissimilar Air Combat
Training (DACT), and concluded with the Dambuster’s visiting the
302nd and 305th hangars at their home base in Hyakuri Air Base, located
on Japan's east coast.
The week began when pilots from the 302nd and 305th TFSs made the three
and a half hour trip from Hyakuri Air Base to NAF Atsugi to meet with
their Dambuster peers. The pilots were greeted by VFA-195’s commanding
officer Cmdr. Guy Snodgrass, who welcomed them and outlined the Benkyoukai
initiative.
"While our two nations enjoy a meaningful strategic relationship,
we rarely work alongside each other despite our close proximity,"
said Snodgrass. "This week's Benkyoukai opportunity is intended
to strengthen the partnership between our squadrons, so that we feel
confident when operating together and can continue to explore closer
ties in the future."
"This is the first time in a decade we have worked with pilots
from the U.S. Navy,” said Major Fujiwara, a pilot with the 305th
TFS. “Participating in this initiative enables us to begin connecting
the dots and is a first step towards greater cooperation."
After initial meetings, the JASDF pilots were given a tour of the flight
line, a chance to view the cockpit of a VFA-195 F/A-18E Super Hornet,
and time in the base's flight simulator. Dissimilar air-combat training
flights began on Tuesday, starting with one-versus-one air combat maneuvering
flights between VFA-195's F/A-18E Super Hornets and the 302nd TFS's
F-4EJ Phantom II aircraft. The aircraft met off the East Coast of Japan,
where the two squadrons faced off in the dynamic training.
Events continued throughout the week, with morning flights flown with
F-4EJ's from the 302nd and afternoon flights conducted with F-15J Eagles
from the 305th. VFA-195 pilots were visibly excited by the opportunity
to work with the Japanese pilots, especially when flying events with
the 302nd.
"This opportunity really brings my career full circle," said
Lt. James Davis, a pilot from VFA 195. "My father flew the F-4,
so the chance to fly with one up close and personal is a truly unique
experience."
The final day of the Benkyoukai Partnership Week concluded with VFA-195
traveling to Hyakuri Air Base for a debriefing, a tour, and a barbecue
hosted by the JASDF Seventh Air Group. The JASDF Seventh Air Group,
which is the parent organization for the 302nd and 305th, hosted the
events at their headquarters, where each squadron presented their lessons
learned from the weeklong event.
"We have observed years of increasing aggressiveness in the Asia-Pacific
by several neighboring countries," said Lt. Col. Watanabe, Commander
of Japan Air Self-Defense Force 302nd Squadron. "The opportunity
to work more closely with the United States Navy, developing our relationship
while building confidence in each other, will bear fruit for years to
come." Snodgrass said, that this, the exercise, is only the first
step along the path to a more in-depth operational partnership with
the 302nd and 305th.
“The interoperability we are developing and the friendships we
are forging along the way will strengthen our squadrons while providing
a very unique opportunity for professional development,” said
Snodgrass. VFA-195 is currently coordinating subsequent events in August
to foster the new partnership initiative.
VFA-195 is part of the U.S. Navy's permanently forward-deployed naval
forces assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five at NAF Atsugi, Japan. They
are sent out on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of security
and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. |
