Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton: Keen Edge 22

Press release from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton:

Courtesy Story

2022-02-03

OKINAWA, Japan --

U.S. Forces, including III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self Defense Forces participated in Keen Edge 22, a bilateral command post exercise, from Jan. 27 through Feb. 3.

The annual event is part of an exercise series that improves interagency coordination, combat readiness and interoperability of all participants.

“One of the most important outcomes of Keen Edge was that interoperability and coordination between III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Japan Self Defense Force were taken to new levels,” said Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, Commanding General, III MEF. “Despite many obstacles, III MEF and the Western Army proved their ability to plan and conduct complex multi-domain operations in defense of our shared interests.”

This U.S.-Japan exercise series alternates between field training exercises (i.e., Keen Sword) and command post exercises (i.e., Keen Edge). During Keen Edge 22, various Japanese and U.S. headquarters staffs employed computer simulations to practice responses in the event of a crisis or contingency.

III MEF conducted Keen Edge in its Battle Staff Training Facility, a combat operations center, where MEF leadership exercised operational command and control.

“Keen Edge is an opportunity for our command and staff to gain a common understanding of the operational environment and identify gaps and seams in our coordination to truly leverage the combined strength of our forces,” said Maj. Paul Kozick, the III MEF Keen Edge 22 planning officer. “It will help inform our future exercises to increase our ability to rapidly share information relevant to the pace of operations.”

Within or from the BSTF, III MEF, Western Army, 7th Fleet and other joint force leaders and staff conducted bilateral and joint planning and coordination in order to execute command and control throughout the exercise’s operations area. These efforts extended to mainland Japan, Hawaii, California and Washington. Japanese and U.S. headquarters staff employed computer simulations to practice responses to various crises and contingencies.

This press release was produced by Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.