JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS. 60th Anniversary of the Air Self-Defense Force. No. Jun Interview with LTC Kawasaki

Transcription

1 53 The Latest News on the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces No. Jun JAPAN DEFENSE FOCUS TOPICS 60th Anniversary of the Air Self-Defense Force SPECIAL FEATURE Interview with LTC Kawasaki Minister of Defense Travels Overseas The 13th IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Attends ADSOM-Plus Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visits Myanmar Status of Scrambles in FY2013 Japan, the United States and Australia Conduct Joint Training in Australia -Southern Jackaroo 2014Scenery of Japan - Sendai Tanabata Festival Cover Photograph : 60th Anniversary of the Air Self-Defense Force General Iwasaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visits Myanmar MINISTRY OF DEFENSE Minister Onodera Meets with Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Republic of South Sudan

2 Topics Topics 60th Anniversary of the Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse is an expert team that specializes in giving gorgeous acrobatic demonstrations at ASDF airshows and major civilian events, aimed at publicizing the ASDF. The 11th squadron is the official name of the team, which belongs to the 4th Air Wing on Matsushima Air Base, Miyagi Prefecture. The six planes, colored blue and white, present breathtaking surprises to those watching them for the first time. Their sensational performances unfurl one after the other, with neat formations in the sky and dynamic solo stunts. 2 On July 1st, 2014, the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) celebrates its 60th anniversary of their establishment. The ASDF Iruma base held the commemorative ceremony in late May in which high ranking officials including Defense Minister, Chief of the Joint Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, senior officials of the ASDF, former ASDF officers, and others participated. The history of the ASDF dates back to July 1st, It was established along with the Defense Agency (current Ministry of Defense) that had previously been the National Safety Agency, as well as the GSDF and MSDF that changed their names from the National Safety Forces and the Coastal Safety Force, respectively. General Harukazu Saitoh, the Chief of Air Staff issued a message below to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the ASDF. This year marks the 60 years milestone since Japan ASDF was established. We have heard that the founding a new service was controversial and of tremendous difficulty in the aftermath of the WWII. We used defense equipment that we took over from the U.S. Air Force, and it literally was a start from scratch. The ASDF has expanded its scale dramatically in the last 60 years. The initial asset was relatively small, with only approx. 6,700 personnel and 150 aircraft, which is now developed to become a gigantic organization embracing approx. 50,000 personnel and cutting edge equipment such as fighter jets including F-15, F-2, Early Warning and Control Aircraft, and Air refueling and transportation aircraft while developing next generation transport aircraft (CX-2). As such, the ASDF now has a presence in the world, side by side with other major countries forces, thanks to the support by relevant parties. Needless to say, we very much owe our development to enthusiastic predecessors, and I would truly like to show my deepest gratitude to all the parties concerned. Against the backdrop of the rapid change in international security environment, the role of the ASDF has become increasingly important these days. The goal for the ASDF is to be an organization that is completely trusted, both domestically and internationally. Since its establishment, the ASDF has built proud tradition of dedicated and trusted service to the nation and its people. The ASDF will continue to work tirelessly around the clock to protect the peace and security of Japan and its airspace. 3

3 Meeting with Foreign Leaders Meeting with Foreign Leaders Italy (May 6th and 7th) Italy on May 6th and 7th where he met with Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti for a Japan Italy Defense Ministerial Meeting. Malaysia (April 28th and 29th) Malaysia on April 28th and 29th where he met with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Hussein and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Najib Razak. He also toured RMAF Subang Air Base, where the SDF International Disaster Relief Team was operating. The 13th IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) Singapore from May 30th to 1st where he attended the 13th IISS Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) and he gave a speech during a session and also held talks with defense ministers from other countries. Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Attends ADSOM-Plus Minister of Defense Travels Overseas Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera made official overseas trips from the end of April to early May where he met with senior officials, visited foreign bases, and encouraged the SDF members deployed abroad. Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense Masanori Nishi traveled to Myanmar from April 28th to 30th to attend the ADSOM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Senior Officials Meeting Plus). Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visits Myanmar From May 26th to 29th, General Iwasaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff visited Myanmar as the first military high-level exchange. He met with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services and discussed issues such as the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region and defense cooperation / exchanges between both countries. He also paid a courtesy call on President Thein Sein. South Sudan (May 8th) South Sudan on May 8th where he visited the SDF engineer unit and met with Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Republic of South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson, and Minister of Defense Kuol Manyang Juuk. He also paid a courtesy call on President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Djibouti (May 9th) Djibouti on May 9th where he visited the Deployment Surface Force Counter Piracy Enforcement and the Deployment Air Force for Counter Piracy Enforcement. He also had a ministerial meeting with Djibouti Minister of Defence Hassan Darar Houffaneh and received courtesy calls from Commander of U.S. Forces, Djibouti and Commander of the French Forces, Djibouti. Australia (April 26th to 28th) Australia from April 26th to 28th and held a bilateral Defense Ministers Meeting with Minister David Johnston. He also visited HMAS Stirling and RAAF Base Pearce. 4 5

4 Activities Special Feature Status of Scrambles in FY2013 The ASDF scrambled 810 times in FY2013 in total, which marked a major increase of 243 times compared to the previous year. For the first time in 24 years since 1990, the annual number of scrambles exceeded 800 times. It is the 9th largest number since the ASDF started taking antiintrusion measures in The breakdown by countries and regions was 51% against Chinese aircraft, 44% against Russian aircraft, and 5% against North Korean and other aircraft, although countries and regions also include supposition. Characteristics of Responses in FY2013 The ASDF scrambled against Chinese aircraft 415 times in FY2013, an increase of 109 times compared to the previous year. In FY2013, 21 cases of scrambles, including 7 during the fourth quarter, were made public as a remarkable case. Although they did not violate the airspace, the expansion of the area of activities was observed as evident in the case of flights Y-8, H-6, and TU-154 aircraft. The ASDF scrambled against Russian aircraft 359 times in FY2013, an increase of 111 times compared to the previous year. In FY2013, 31 cases of scrambles, including 11 during the fourth quarter, and the case where TU-95 intruded the air space over Okinoshima-island, Fukuoka prefecture on 22nd August, were made public as a peculiar case. On 9th September, the MOD publicized what presumed to be an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time. Scrambles against Russian patrol aircraft and Chinese fighter aircraft were outstanding in frequency compared to other types of aircraft of each country, although this includes estimation. The period of this data is from April 1st, 2013 to March 31st, Japan, the United States and Australia Conduct Joint Training in Australia -Southern Jackaroo Interview with LTC Kawasaki Lieutenant Colonel Machiko Kawasaki was sent to East Timor from February to September in Later she worked in South Sudan from July 2013 to January 2014 at the headquarters of United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). LTC Kawasaki shared her experience and insight she gained through her overseas operations. Q. What made you decide to participate in the East Timor mission in 2002 and UNMISS in 2013? From the beginning, I have always been interested in the overseas operations. The unit was sent to East Timor in a relatively large-scale which consisted of approx. 600 to 700 personnel, so it was natural to have some female officers in the unit. After I came back from East Timor, I hoped to be engaged in PKO again if I had a chance. At the same time, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) was promoting to have more female personnel in the international missions. Then I was offered to participate in UNMISS. PKO is not only a significant contribution to developing countries but also a great opportunity for us to learn about the world. Q. Did you have a chance to cooperate with personnel from other countries? Actually, the mission in East Timor was my first opportunity to work with foreign officers. I came to understand that even though we are from different countries and have different backgrounds, we share the same goal, that is, to do something good for local people. From May 17th to 28th, the GSDF took part in Southern Jackaroo 2014, a combined army exercise held in Australia involving Japan and the United States. Hosted by the Australian Army, this exercise enabled personnel and units to improve the tactical combat skills as well as foster closer relationships between the GSDF, U.S. Army, and Australian Army. 6 provide sustainable medical care which is possible to be handed over to the local hospitals after we are done with first aid. I learned that we might have the advanced medical technology, but just giving all of them is not necessarily beneficial for the local community. Q. Was there any particular area that you think you contributed as a female officer? There was nothing in particular. This is because I found my working environment comfortable as my gender did not matter. My boss would ask if I would like to take on a task or not, and whether I can do it or not. He asked the same questions to my male colleagues and made a decision to whom he assign the task regardless of gender. Q. What is your next goal going forward? The international operations are not limited to PKO. The MOD is actively engaging in international disaster relief activities and capacity building assistance as well. I would love to be part of those overseas operations through planning or working on site. If I have a chance to work overseas next time, I would like to be engaged in a more responsible position. This is because in the past, while I had a chance to write reports to the force commander, I did not have one to actually make comments during meetings or to report to the commander directly. Also, since I am currently teaching young SDF personnel here, I would like to stir up their enthusiasm in international cooperation. At the same time, I hope that my experience will create an opportunity for those who are currently not interested in SDF s overseas operation to understand what the MOD is doing. Q. Are there any lessons learned from your experience while being sent for PKO? I had a chance to provide medical assistance to the local people once or twice because of car accidents near the camp. I noticed that what I had to do was to 7

5 COLUMN ~ Scenery of Japan ~ Sendai Tanabata Festival endai Tanabata Festival is considered one of the three major festivals of the Tohoku region and three main Tanabata festivals in Japan where over 2 million visitors come to view the festivities over the 3-day event. Tanabata Festivals, also known as the star festivals, are usually held on the 7th day of the 7th month of the year. The Sendai Tanabata, however, is usually held between 6 8 August of each year. During this event, tourists get the chance to observe the city s center decorated with various brightly colored streamers and paper decorations (origami) of many fascinating shapes. The origami represents various meaning to include: kimono is believed to ward off illness and accidents, the net symbolizes good harvests, cranes signify long life, purse embodies good business, trash baskets characterize cleanliness and finally paper strips represent good handwriting. GSDF Camp Sendai is located approx. 4 km from downtown. Each year personnel from the North Eastern Army Band based at Camp Sendai have been instrumental in actively participating in the Sendai Tanabata Festival. Approx. 60 band members participate in the activities during the Tanabata parade. *This article was contributed by a Mansfield fellow, Captain Wikrom Kitchaiya, USAF. Sendai Tanabata Festival Support Association Latest News Opening of Gyudon stand at the MOD (24 Apr.) Gyudon is a rice bowl topped with sliced stewed beef, and is sometimes called the Japanese fast food because it can be quickly served. At the store in the MOD, a fried egg on top of the Gyudon bowl is specially cooked in a flag shape, signifying the Japanese flag. The menu is popular among officers working at the MOD. Troop Inspection by Defense Minister Onodera: Shikoku district (17~18 May) Send-off Ceremony of MSDF Overseas Training Squadron: Harumi Pier (19 May) Exercise Inspection etc. by Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Takeda: Amami city, Setouchi town (21 ~ 22 May) NEW! We launched JDF NEWSLETTER. Contact us at jdfmod@mod.go.jp to receive monthly update! For inquiry, contact following office: Public Affairs Division, Ministry of Defense, Japan TEL: (switch board) Web: 8