Latest news with #FieldTrainingExercise
The Mainichi
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
City in Kyoto Pref. calls for probe into Japan-US military drill held without prior notice
KYOTANGO, Kyoto -- The Kyoto Prefecture city of Kyotango on July 31 called for confirmation of the facts surrounding a joint Japan-U.S. military exercise that went ahead at a U.S. base in the city without prior notification to local officials. The Kinki-Chubu Defense Bureau of the Ministry of Defense admitted that it was also unaware of the joint exercise and stated, "We will investigate the facts and provide a response." The Kyotango Municipal Government raised the issue at a Defense Ministry-hosted liaison conference on safety and security measures related to the Kyogamisaki Communications Site in Kyotango, which is equipped with an X-band radar for detecting and tracking ballistic missiles. One local resident voiced concerns about the failure to notify the city, stating, "Civilian control is being ignored. Japanese and U.S. military organizations are acting independently on the front lines, which is extremely dangerous." Joint Japan-U.S. training exercises have often been held at the Kyoto Prefecture site in the past, but the Ministry of Defense has usually informed the city and local districts about the content of the drills in advance. This time however, even the Kinki-Chubu Defense Bureau, which has jurisdiction over the area, was unaware of the exercise -- an unusual state of affairs. Kyotango Deputy Mayor Kazuyoshi Nakanishi pointed out during the meeting that a post on the communications site's Facebook page on July 16 showcased the joint training between the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's 7th Infantry Regiment from the Kyoto Prefecture city of Fukuchiyama and the U.S. military. He urged the Defense Ministry to "properly inform the city and local residents about training exercises without fail." In response, the Kinki-Chubu Defense Bureau apologized, stating, "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused. We will ensure that information is provided to the city and local districts in the future." However, it also stated, "We do not have any information that we can explain." The Facebook post stated that U.S. soldiers and SDF members "conducted a comprehensive exercise as a part of a FTX (Field Training Exercise)," which "consisted of various scenarios, which contributes to our bilateral success as a combined military force." One resident near the communications site expressed their concerns, stating, "The most serious issue is that the joint Japan-U.S. exercise was conducted on the front lines without (Japanese) defense authorities being informed. This is a grave situation. Conducting drills without defense authorities' knowledge is unacceptable under civilian control. I want the facts to be thoroughly investigated and publicly released." According to a resident who witnessed the training near the site, the exercise was conducted July 10. (Japanese original by Toshio Shioda, Maizuru Local Bureau)
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- New Straits Times
IGP: Recovery of black box from crashed police helicopter requires specialised expertise
JOHOR BARU: Efforts to recover the black box and extract the wreckage of the police-owned AS355N helicopter that crashed into Sungai Pulai will require specialised expertise and support from multiple agencies. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the depth of the river, estimated at 25 feet, posed a major challenge to the recovery operation. "We are still waiting for updates on the black box. The search effort involves several agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and others with relevant expertise," he said after visiting the crash site at the Sungai Pulai Maritime Jetty on Thursday evening. Also present was Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar. Mohd Khalid said the wreckage extraction process was expected to take time, as it would require skilled personnel with experience in underwater recovery. Meanwhile, the five victims of the crash have been identified as three men and two women. Two remain in critical condition and are on assisted ventilation, while the remaining three are reported to be stable. "The MRI results for the injured victims have not been released. I urge all parties not to speculate on the incident," he said. He also gave his assurance that the police would continue to ensure the welfare of the affected officers and personnel. Earlier, the police helicopter was reported to have crashed into Sungai Pulai during a Field Training Exercise (FTX) for the Multilateral Nuclear Security Detection Exercise, Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore 2025 (MITSATOM 2025). The incident occurred at 10.15am near the MMEA jetty in Jalan Cabang, Pekajang, Gelang Patah. It is understood that all five crew members, comprising three men and two women, who were part of the exercise, survived the crash. The helicopter had departed from the Tanjung Kupang police station at 9.51am with five people on board, including the pilot.
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
By land and by sea: The United Kingdom (UK) supports United States (US)-led military exercises improving African security and stability
The UK Armed Forces have been one of the biggest contributors to two large-scale military exercises that are reaching their climax this week across the land and sea of East Africa. The United States is leading both exercises and has brought together over 2,000 personnel from the armed forces of 29 countries, including 22 African nations. The UK is responsible for delivering component parts of these multinational training exercises, under United States stewardship. The UK has been one of the biggest contributors to the Exercise Justified Accord 'Field Training Exercise (FTX)' which sees B Company 3 RIFLES exercise alongside a company from the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, a company of Kenya Army infantry, a troop of Kenyan Marines, Kenya Airforce fixed wing and rotary wing assets and, one infantry platoon each from Tanzania and Somalia. Exercise Justified Accord is a land multinational exercise being delivered between 10 – 21 February hosted by Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. It began with table-top exercises that have laid the foundation for full-scale live activity, which are now underway. The action-packed drills involve coordinating and executing ground attacks, calling in air-support, urban warfare, using drones, and breaching and clearing buildings, as well as medical evacuations. Cutlass Express is being conducted simultaneously, mostly in Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania. It is a naval warfare exercise which focuses on boarding various types of vessels at high speed to take command and control. The exercise challenges teams to complete scenarios which become increasingly harder and involve different types of vessels – from boarding small boats and dhows, to gaining control of larger vessels whilst under fire. In another example of the United Kingdom and the United States being long-term partners for long-term stability and security, Exercise Cutlass Express is taking place for the 15th time, whilst Exercise Justified Accord has been conducted in various forms since 1998. Further joint exercises with African partners are planned for 2025. Both exercises will ensure that the different forces involved work together to achieve combat objectives and prepare for real-life scenarios where they may have to collaborate quickly and effectively to counter threats in the region. Falling just after the election of the new African Union Chairperson, the exercises also support the African Union's security objectives by preparing partners for United Nations and African Union missions in Africa. It serves as another example of the UK's support for improved security not just in East Africa, but across the whole of Africa. These include the creation of the history-making, first-ever Kenyan marines and joint-training with the special forces of Nigeria and Ghana. Olly Bryant, Defence Attaché at the British High Commission Nairobi, said: "The UK is a long-term partner, helping to deliver long-term stability and security across East Africa, and we are proud to be working with our allies on delivering high-capacity and high-quality activity. We are also proud of our security partnerships with our partners across Africa, which protect our people, prosperity and shared interests – we go far when we go together." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British High Commission Nairobi.
