Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, U.S. special operations forces co-host bilateral engagement to align capabilities

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Taylor, deputy commander, 353rd Special Operations Wing, left, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Clay Freeman, deputy commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Yoshichika Ito, commander, 1st Helicopter Brigade, right, meet during a bilateral engagement between the JGSDF and AFSOC at Camp Kisarazu, Japan, Aug. 23, 2026. The five-day event centered on interoperability and collaborative capabilities for air-to-ground integration and humanitarian assistance and disaster response in a combined environment. By synchronizing these capabilities, U.S. special operations and JGSDF forces aim to ensure effective collaboration during both crisis response and sustained regional operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Cullen Drenkhahn)

PHOTO BY: Capt. Cullen Drenkhahn

VIRIN: 260824-D-F3013-1278.JPG

FULL SIZE: 1.07 MB

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