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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A UH-1N Iroquois helicopter flies over Japanese mountaintops on its way back to Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 29, 2015, after completing a bilateral training mission. U.S. Airmen trained with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same page
                        
                        
                        A UH-1N Iroquois helicopter flies over Japanese mountaintops on its way back to Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 29, 2015, after completing a bilateral training mission. U.S. Airmen trained with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)
                
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        Two UH-1N Iroquois helicopters fly Jan. 29, 2015, toward Mt. Fuji, Japan. The pilots were practicing formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same page
                        
                        
                        Two UH-1N Iroquois helicopters fly Jan. 29, 2015, toward Mt. Fuji, Japan. The pilots were practicing formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)
                
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        Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) ride along with U.S. service members as they perform formation maneuvers during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo. U.S. and JGSDF members conducted the exchange mission to deepen their understanding of each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same page
                        
                        
                        Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) ride along with U.S. service members as they perform formation maneuvers during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo. U.S. and JGSDF members conducted the exchange mission to deepen their understanding of each other’s tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)
                
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        An UH-1N Iroquois flies toward Mt. Fuji during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo. Two helicopters were used during the training mission, in which the pilots were able to practice formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same page
                        
                        
                        An UH-1N Iroquois flies toward Mt. Fuji during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo. Two helicopters were used during the training mission, in which the pilots were able to practice formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Washburn)
                
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US, Japan helicopter crews get on the same pagePublished Feb. 5, 2015
                    
                    By Senior Airman Michael Washburn
                    
                    
                    374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
            **YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --**Service members from the 459th Airlift Squadron invited Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members from Camp Higashi-Tachikawa, to ride along in two UH-1N Iroquois helicopters Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo.
The JGSDF members were able to gain a better understanding of the Air Force's aerial formations, maneuvers and terminology. Being able to get on the same page enables the two services to function like a well-oiled machine should the need arise.
"The objective for this is to help introduce (JGSDF) to our procedures and how we fly our helicopters and help us understand how they fly theirs," said Capt. Thomas Powell, the 459th Airlift Squadron chief of current operations. "This would help if we ever wanted to do a joint mission between our helicopter units."
For the most part, JGSDF helicopter crews and U.S. crews operate the aircraft the same way. It's primarily the technical terms and jargon that are different.
"The big thing is to get the terminology correct between the two of us," Powell said. "So, if we say something to them, they know exactly what we're talking about."
While in the air with the U.S. service members, the JGSDF pilots observed several different formations such as staggered, combat cruise and combat spread, along with maneuvers like hook turns, check turns, digs and pinches.
"For us, it was extremely helpful to have a clear understanding of the tactics and equipment (U.S. forces) use and how they differ from ours," said Capt. Fujimoto, a JGSDF helicopter pilot.
Powell said that overall, this type of training is crucial, because it helps instill confidence in the JGSDF and U.S. service members.
"If they ever needed our help, we are available and willing to help them," he said. "At the same time, we're capable to fly with them in the same environment without causing a hazard or other problems."Yokota AB 



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