U.S.-Japan Joint-Bilateral Training Exercise "Keen Sword 2011"
Dec. 6 - U.S. military personnel are partnering with Japanese Self-Defense Forces in Japan Dec. 3-10 to conduct joint-bilateral training. A large and complex exercise directed by the Commander of 13th Air Force, Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, and Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, Chief of Staff, Japan Joint Staff, Keen Sword 2011 involves all components of U.S. Joint Forces and Japanese Self-Defense Forces training in support of the defense of Japan to facilitate the interaction and improve the interoperability of both militaries. Such training between Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military forces has been a routine, recurring event for many years. Keen Sword 2011 is the 10th joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986. Over the past 50 years, the United States and Japan have forged a relationship built on a shared vision of peace, prosperity, democracy and regional stability.