Missouri National Guard exchanges tactics with Japanese Soldiers

Sgt. 1st Class Brian Gustin (right) of Kansas City, Mo., with the Missouri Army National Guard's 1/138th Infantry Regiment, explains a road crossing technique his Soldiers use to navigate terrain while threatened by enemy activity. Approximately 200 Soldiers with the Missouri Army National Guard are spending the first two weeks of November in northern Japan, training with Japanese military as part of Orient Shield 11. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mike Chrisman, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

By Sgt. 1st Class Mike Chrisman, Illinois Army National Guard's 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

KAMI-FURANO, Japan - Through rain, sleet and snow, Missouri Army National Guard Soldiers shared ideas with their Japanese counterparts on performing various reconnaissance tactics as part of Orient Shield.

"A lot of their standard operating procedures are similar to ours," said Sgt. 1st Class Brian Gustin of Kansas City, Mo. with the Missouri Army National Guard's 1/138th Infantry Regiment headquartered in Kansas City.

Even with the help of an interpreter, different languages created barriers to sharing military strategies.

"We have to keep the language simple," said Gustin. "We constantly have to do a check-on-learning to make sure they understand what we are saying."

For many Soldiers with the 138th, the training in northern Japan marks the first time they have traveled out of the United States, let alone worked with coalition forces.

"I have always wanted to come to Japan," said Pfc. Kenny Walker of Lathrop, Mo., a member of the 138th. "It is an amazing experience to meet new people and understand more about their culture."

During his first night at Kami-Furano military base, Walker spent roughly two hours talking to a Japanese Soldier. The two Soldiers exchanged e-mail addresses and hope to get to know each other following the training.

Approximately 400 Soldiers from National Guard units in New Hampshire, Illinois, Washington, Nevada and Missouri participated in a two-week training exercise called Orient Shield 11. Half of those Soldiers are from the Missouri Army National Guard and the rest are logistical support for the operation.

This was the thirteenth year of Orient Shield, with U.S. and Japanese Soldiers strengthening a growing relationship. In 1960, the U.S. and Japan signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, a binding agreement for both countries to support each other from enemy attack.

While the intent of the mission is for the two countries to exchange details on military operations, many Soldiers are learning a lot more.

"I love talking to other cultures," said Spc. Brandon Iloilo, a 138th Soldier from Independence, Mo. "It is a great cultural exchange. Many of us do not know a lot about the Japanese culture and language, but they know a lot about us. I love the experience and I am glad to be part of this opportunity."

The 138th is headquartered in Kansas City and maintains units in St. Louis, Boonville, Perryville, Monett, Anderson and Jefferson City.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.