Orient Shield exercise

Orient Shield is an annual training exercise executed in Japan between the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) and United States Army.

[1] The exercise is designed to enhance bilateral combat effectiveness at the battalion and brigade levels while strengthening military-to-military relationships and demonstrating American commitment to support regional security interests.

[2] Rotating between JGSDF divisions of the five Regional Armies, Orient Shield leverages the unique capabilities of the training units to provide for ever-increasing tactical complexity and realism.

The ongoing tension around North Korea's nuclear program has added an additional layer of importance to the annual exercise.

In 2018, the 40th Infantry Division from California National Guard and 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) from the Indiana National Guard became the first Total Force[5] partners to participate in the exercise.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and soldiers of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force participating in Orient Shield 2012, pictured on 31 October 2012.
A US Army UH-60 Blackhawk flies over Yamaguchi Bay during Orient Shield 2019