After a week of integration and interoperability to refine Australia's land force readiness, Exercise Yama Sakura 89 wrapped up in Osaka, Japan, in late August.
More than 3000 personnel from the Australian Army, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the US Army combined for the third consecutive year to enhance human, procedural and technical operational cooperation to meet current and emerging regional challenges.
Deputy Commander of the 1st (Australian) Division, Brigadier Shane Gabriel, said the command post exercise was more than just another military exercise.
"Each year this exercise deepens our close military-to-military ties, further enhancing our trust in one another and strengthening our partnerships with Japan and the United States of America," Brigadier Gabriel said.
"This year we've enriched our human and procedural interoperability and bolstered our operational cooperation, particularly with regard to command and control, targeting and fires, and communication.
"Together, we are at the forefront of military readiness and better prepared to keep pace with the rapidly evolving strategic environment."
'We found that there was far more in common than there was different between our organisations.'
Since its inception in 1982, Exercise Yama Sakura has evolved significantly, expanding with the introduction of multinational participants in recent years.
The Australian Army's inaugural participation in the exercise was in 2023, marking a pivotal moment in Australia's military cooperation with Japan and the US. It highlighted Australia's commitment to enduring, regionally indispensable military partnerships.
Interoperability at all levels is crucial to working with partners. As Captain Christopher Jones experienced during Exercise Yama Sakura, this included procedural and human interoperability, such as learning to speak the same language and operate in line with the same policies and procedures.
A logistics officer from 3rd Combat Signal Regiment in Townsville, Captain Jones integrated with the logistics cell of the US Army's 25th Infantry Division.
"From my perspective, although the logistics planning is one of the most critical aspects of Exercise Yama Sakura, human interoperability was where we saw the greatest advancements," Captain Jones said.
"Two to three days into the exercise, once we really learnt how to work with the Japanese and the Americans, we found that there was far more in common than there was different between our organisations.
"Learning how they do business and how we can improve our systems for getting fuel, ammunition and water to the troops make us a better Defence force and helps us improve in this trilateral environment."
