Artillery Relocation Exercise
Under the Artillery Relocation Exercise, artillery Marines from Okinawa conduct live fire training exercises in mainland Japan in order to maintain operational readiness. Sites throughout mainland Japan enable Marines to train to standards in order to respond effectively in any Asian Pacific contingency where artillery support would be needed.
In 1997 Artillery drills hitherto undertaken on Okinawa were relocated to the mainland. Oita's governor Morihiko Hiramatsu agreed in conference with Defense Agency chief Fumio Kyuma that the Hijudai range should be used. Landowners in Higashifuji also accepted the move. Yausubetsu in Hokkaido and Kitafuji in Miyagi were approached by Mr Kyuma. Thus, Okinawa will be relieved of these exercises. The new locations all experienced artillery training during the course of the fiscal year. Nevertheless, there were movements against acceptance in all four prefectures affected.
The Marines really enjoy shooting artillery on mainland Japan. Coming from the desert of Twentynine Palms, Calif., Kilo's home station, to the mountains and snow of Ojojihara is a unique experience and great training opportunity. Leathernecks from Btry. K, 3rd Bn., 11th Marines sent the final round down range Nov. 26, 1998, concluding the seventh artillery relocation live fire sustainment exercise in mainland Japan. Kilo came to Ojojihara to accomplish a number of training goals, including fire direction, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical training, and patrolling.
Marines from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, deployed to Camp Fuji for an artillery relocation life-fire exercise, recently lent a hand to their Japanese neighbors during two community relations projects. The unit volunteered to work at the Yakanama Seibi Home Nov. 7 and the Gotemba Colony Nov. 15. Since 1953, Marines from 3/12 have aided the Yakanama Seibi Home, which was an orphanage until recently. The Marines of Battery K, 3/12 assisted the sisters of the Yakanama Seibi Home, now primarily a convent, by raking leaves around the complex.
More than 110 Marines and Sailors from Okinawa volunteered to take part in five community relations projects while participating in a month-long Artillery Relocation Exercise held at the Hijudai Maneuver Training Area. The volunteers, from Combat Service Support Detachment-32, 3rd Force Service Support Group; Headquarters Battery, 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd MarDiv; T Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, currently taking part in the Unit Deployment Program from Camp Lejeune, N.C., and attached to 3rd Marine Division, took part in the events Feb. 11-15.
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