Japanese soldiers land at Camp Pendleton beach - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Japanese soldiers land at Camp Pendleton beach

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Spitting up sand and seawater, the pair of gray naval air-cushioned landing craft zoomed onto the beach and released its cargo: Platoons of armed troops and their armored vehicles who worked their way across the beach battling an opposing force of fighters.

But it wasn’t U.S. Marines who assaulted Red Beach. It was Japanese soldiers.

More than 100 soldiers with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force did something that few Marines have done in recent years: An amphibious landing.

The beach assault, with elements of 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, was part of “Iron Fist” bilateral exercises to build amphibious capabilities between both countries.

“It’s great for them and it’s great for us. It’s one of our mission sets,” said Col. David Coffman, who commands 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and observed the beach landing.

The Japanese soldiers arrived in January for a month-long deployment from their Kyushu-based regiment. Red Beach provided more training space than what soldiers experience training in Japan, including Okinawa. “They don’t have beaches like this,” said Navy Capt. Andrew Cully, who commands Amphibious Squadron 1 in San Diego.

Maj. Hiroshi Inoue, a company commander, said “it’s very valuable to come here and train.” His soldiers relish training alongside Marines, who they see as “the strongest” among militaries.

The soldiers observed Marines in the Infantry Immersive Trainer, trained at Military Operations in Urban Terrain facilities and built planning skills in the combined arms staff trainer. Next up: A week at sea aboard the amphibious transport dock New Orleans.

The Japanese soldiers have also experienced a dose of a Marine’s life: A rack in an open-squad bay and meals at the chow hall.