YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 374th Communications Squadron demonstrated their expeditionary communications capabilities during exercise Samurai Relay II, held at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, May 21.
The Samurai Relay series is a unit-level training event designed to evaluate the 374 CS ability to rapidly deploy teams to establish communications in austere environments with no existing infrastructure. This time the exercise called for the deployment of two communications fly-away kit teams to two separate locations to enable airlift support operations by setting up communications hubs in simulated field conditions.
In past iterations of the exercise, the teams were manned solely by expeditionary communication personnel. This time, Staff Sgt. Jared Binoya, 374 CS expeditionary communications NCOIC and Senior Airman Gibson Chomphuthip, 374 CS expeditionary communications supervisor, led personnel from different work centers within the unit to effectively employ the CFAKs, proving that with the proper training sourcing manpower is not issue.
“For us, Samurai Relay II is more than just practice, allows us to hone our skills, identify and address weaknesses,” said Binoya. “These types of exercises are essential for readiness, deterrence, and joint/coalition effectiveness.”
A significant milestone in this iteration of the exercise was the successful integration and implementation of the Mission Partner Environment, a secure communications network that enhances coordination between U.S. and allied forces.
“The mission partner environment allows transmission of classified information between U.S. Indo-Pacific Command coalition partners,” said Chomphuthip. “MPE facilitates sensitive operational support coordination between U.S. Forces and Japanese forces by forgoing the need to hold in person briefing and allowing for requests to be sent electronically.”
NAF Atsugi served as a host site for the exercise, where U.S. Navy Cmdr. James R. Beaty, NAF Atsugi executive officer, and his communications team played a vital role by providing workspace and critical resources that enabled the Air Force team to fully execute its training objectives. Beaty and his team also observed the exercise closely, expressing interest in leveraging the results as a proof of concept to support NAF Atsugi’s own emergency management & contingency planning efforts.
“We intentionally send our teams to different locations to allow the teams the opportunity to familiarize and build relationships with installations across Japan so that during real world events learning curves can be mitigated,” said TSgt Fleming, 374 CS first sergeant.
Meanwhile, the second team deployed with the same objectives to CATC Camp Fuji, a training facility that supports joint and Japanese exercises in preparation for contingency operations. While there, 374 CS Airmen provided U.S. Marines from CATC with an opportunity for joint learning and familiarization with the expeditionary communications capabilities the 374 CS brings to the fight.
“Modern military missions are rarely conducted alone; they rely on joint and allied cooperation,” said Binoya. “The MPE ensures that all partners can communicate, share intelligence, and operate on a common platform without compromising security and effectiveness.”
Samurai Relay II showcased the 374 CS growing proficiency in delivering secure, agile, and interoperable communications, reinforcing the unit’s mission to support theater-wide operations across the Indo-Pacific region.