U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

A UH-1 Huey helicopter flies over Japanese mountaintops on its way back to Yokota Air Base, Japan, after completing a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015. U.S. Airmen trained with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

Two UH-1 Huey helicopters fly over Japan on their way to Mt. Fuji, Japan, Jan. 29, 2015. The pilots were practicing formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Poe, 459th Airlift Squadron special missions aviator, checks the surroundings outside of the UH-1 Huey helicopter during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, at Tokyo, Japan. Two Huey helicopters with both U.S. and Japanese service members conducted bilateral training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ride along with U.S. Service members as they perform formation maneuvers during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015, near Tokyo, Japan. U.S. and JGSDF members conducted the exchange mission to deepen their understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures each other’s use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

A UH-1 Huey helicopter flies toward Mt. Fuji during a bilateral training mission Jan. 29, 2015 near Tokyo, Japan. Two helicopters were used during the training mission where the pilots were able to practice formations, maneuvers and rescue tactics with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member displays an Eastern Army Aviation Group helicopter patch during a bilateral UH-1 Huey training mission Jan. 29, 2015, at Tokyo, Japan. U.S. and JGSDF members conducted the exchange mission to deepen their understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures each other’s use. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S., JGSDF helicopter crews get on the same page

Published Feb. 5, 2015
By Senior Airman Michael Washburn
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Service members from the 459th Airlift Squadron invited Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members from Camp Higashi-Tachikawa to ride along in two UH-1 Huey helicopters Jan. 29, 2015 near Tokyo, Japan.

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 helps the two services function like a well-oiled machine should the need arise.

"The objective for this is to help introduce them (JGSDF) to our procedures and how we fly our helicopters and help us understand how they fly theirs," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Powell, 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 really only 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. 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 you (U.S. forces) use and how they differ from ours," said Capt. Fujimoto, JGSDF helicopter pilot.

Powell said that overall, this type of training is crucial because it helps instill confidence in the JGSDF 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."