MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducted the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Jan. 23.
Iron Fist is a bilateral training event designed to increase amphibious capabilities and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces.
The exercise is the ninth iteration of the annual training event, which began in 2006, and provides the opportunity to exchange knowledge, develop personal and professional relationships, and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training.
The JGSDF unit participating in the training is the Western Army Infantry Regiment. Marine units participating include 1st Reconnaissance Battalion; 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment; 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 among others.
Upcoming events available to the media include: bilateral indirect-fire training on Feb. 6, combined-arms training on Feb. 9, and a final amphibious assault on Feb. 19-20.
For more information, contact the 15th MEU public affairs officer, 1st Lt. Matthew Finnerty at 760-725-0183 or matthew.finnerty@usmc.mil.