U.S./Japan Joint Missile Exercises
Stars and Stripes reports that the U.S. and Japan are conducting joint missile defense exercises this week in northern Japan. Among other things, the U.S. is testing its newest contingency command in the Far East, I Corps Forward, based at Camp Zama.
U.S. Army Japan Commander Maj. Gen. Francis Wiercinski said, “The most difficult aspect is getting there and getting established when crisis occurs. But with I Corps Forward that’s already done.”
The two countries are simulating a missile attack from North Korea, and preparing responses to natural disasters. In October, North Korea test-fired five short-range missiles launched off the country’s east coast. The test-firing merely was the latest in a long line of such tests. Last summer, the rogue state fired seven missiles toward the Sea of Japan. Afterward, Japan’s Coast Guard reported that North Korea banned ships from its coast by a wide range, fueling speculation that the rogue state was preparing to launch more missiles. North Korea indeed test-fired several more missiles and conducted a nuclear test. At the time, South Korea said North Korea had about 700 short-range missiles similar to the ones fired.
Japan’s navy is incorporating Aegis capabilities as part of its defense against North Korea. In October, Japan successfully shot down a missile off the coast of Hawaii. A destroyer detected, tracked, and shot down the medium-range missile while in flight with an SM-3 interceptor rocket.
Tags: 1 Corps Forward, Francis Wiercinski, Japan