CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- Members of the Western Army Signal Group, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, met with Marines of 7th Communication Battalion to exchange information about JGSDF and Marine Corps communication equipment at Camp Hansen June 27.
The JGSDF members also visited the battalion, a part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, to share and exchange ideas related to communications planning.

 

“We answered questions they had from the last time they visited us,” said Master Sgt. John L. Pellicore, the operations chief for the battalion. “We also set up static displays.”

The Marines compared capabilities and engaged in discussions, according to Maj. Akihiro Hirota, the chief of S-3, training and operations, Western Army Signal Group.

The JGSDF members were briefed on the AN/TRC-170 tropospheric scatter microwave radio terminal, a radio data team kit and a deployable joint command and control rapid response kit.

“They want capabilities similar to ours,” said Pellicore. “They have specific requirements and looked at what they could do with similar equipment.”

The JGSDF does not have a device like the AN/TRC-170 and  hopes to get similar equipment eventually, according to Hirota.

“The device would be beneficial in the Kyushu region specifically since there are many islands where being able to communicate over long distances is key,” he added.

The visitors spent more than three hours exchanging information on their respective communications devices. Each member of the four-man team asked multiple questions regarding the function, size and capabilities of the Marine equipment.

The visit was educational for both sides, according to Hirota. It served as an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas about communication technology.

“This is only our second time meeting with the Western Army Signal Group,” said Pellicore. “We want to get together to learn and train with them in the future.”