Japanese Soldiers, U.S. Marines Train Together at Camp Pendleton

Iron Fist, an annual amphibious training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers, wrapped up last week at Camp Pendleton, and by all accounts it was a success.

The live-fire exercise is designed to “improve USMC and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels,” according to military officials.

Considered the largest of its kind in the United States, the operation involved U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and JGSDF soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment.

Opening ceremonies took place Jan. 15, 2019 and the operation continues into the first week of February.

See photo gallery below:

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers of 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, observe as fellow soldiers execute surf passage using combat rubber raiding crafts during Iron Fist Jan. 16, 2019 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Navy Corpsmen assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group exchange techniques for damage control resuscitation on a simulated casualty with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers assigned to 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, in the Shock Trauma Platoon tent during Iron Fist, Jan. 22, 2019 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, participate in a combined arms live fire exercise during Iron Fist 2019, Jan. 24 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, participate in a combined arms live fire exercise during Iron Fist 2019, Jan. 24 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, participate in a combined arms live fire exercise during Iron Fist 2019, Jan. 24 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers of 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, move a combat rubber raiding craft to the surf during Iron Fist Jan. 16, 2019 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Navy Corpsmen assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group treat a simulated casualty in the Shock Trauma Platoon tent during Iron Fist, Jan. 22, 2019 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, participate in a combined arms live fire exercise during Iron Fist 2019, Jan. 24 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines and Japanese Soldiers with Japan Ground Self Defense Force salute during the playing of the American and Japanese national anthems as part of the Exercise Iron Fist 2019 opening ceremony Jan. 15, on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, participate in a combined arms live fire exercise during Iron Fist 2019, Jan. 24 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers of 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, execute surf passage using combat rubber raiding crafts during Iron Fist Jan. 16, 2019 on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)

U.S. Marine Col. Kevin Clark, Commanding Officer of 1st Marine Regiment, speaks to attendees of the Exercise Iron Fist 2019 opening ceremony Jan. 15, on U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual, multilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedures to improve their combined operational capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice)