The new Amphibious Combat Vehicle is involved in a live fire exercise at Camp Pendleton. Photo by Chris Stone 
Explosions hit the hillsides during Iron Fist activities with Japanese troops. Photo by Chris Stone 
A Marine helicopter files above joint exercises with Marines and Japanese troops. Photo by Chris Stone 
Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (left) speaks to Sgt. Ryan Dills, master gunner, about the exercise. Photo by Chris Stone 
Commanders from Camp Pendleton and Japanese forces hold a press conference. Photo by Chris Stone 
An new Amphibious Combat Vehicle heads to a live fire exercise on Camp Pendleton. Photo by Chris Stone 
A Marine (left) and a Japanese soldiers observe a live fire exercise. Photo by Chris Stone 
Toy vehicles mark the position of assault vehicles in the live fire exercise. Photo by Chris Stone 
Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, previews the live fire exercise. Photo by Chris Stone 
Japanese Capt. Hinichi Morimoto (left) shares a light-hearted moment with Sgt. Ryan Dills during a drill. Photo by Chris Stone 
A Japanese Amphibious Assault Vehicle (right) shoots at a target (center top) Photo by Chris Stone 
Japanese Capt. Hinichi Morimoto watches the live fire exercise. Photo by Chris Stone 
Lt. Gen. George Smith, Jr.(left) and Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki give a joint press conference about Iron Fist. Photo by Chris Stone 
Iron Fist exercises will continue through Feb. 16. Photo by Chris Stone
Camp Pendleton Marines are trying out their newest land-and-water combat vehicle, which they plan to deploy later this year.
In joint biannual training with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force through Feb. 16, amphibious vehicles from both countries engaged in live fire exercises Wednesday as part of an exercise dubbed Iron Fist.
The Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or ACV, is replacing the Vietnam-era Amphibious Assault Vehicle following the deaths of eight Marines and one sailor two years ago when their AAV sank off San Clemente Island.
“We learned a number of lessons from the AAV tragedy in July 2020,” said Lt. Gen. George Smith Jr., commanding general of the Pendleton-based I Marine Expeditionary Force. “We have incorporated all of them.”
Japanese forces still use the AAV, but Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, commanding general of the Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, said their vehicles were checked for safety and are a revised version.
Both Nashinoki and Smith called the joint exercises a success at a news conference held days after “60 Minutes” highlighted military training deaths in vehicle rollovers.
The current training was the first time the ACVs have been employed in bilateral waterborne exercises.
“It is a positive test of our collaborative skills,” Smith said. “We are strengthened by realistic, bilateral training, and together we are stronger and present a credible deterrent to those who would challenge a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Smith said both nations share goals of freedom of navigation, and free and open Indo-Pacific, and an adherence to international law.
“This alliance has never been more important than it is today based on the challenges that we collectively see in the Indo-Pacific,” Smith added.
ACVs have a new design, making them more lethal, survivable and reliable, said Capt. David Perez, commander of C Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion. It runs on wheels, rather than tracks, has more armor and can shoot on the move.
COVID-19 has been the biggest obstacle during the joint exercise, pausing the action when Japanese soldiers tested positive for the virus in January.
However, Smith said the exercise was restructured and that their goals have been met.
At Camp Pendleton, about 900 Marines and 200 Japanese service members have been involved in the joint training since Jan. 10. Other joint training has taken place at Twentynine Palms.
