Tech. Sgt. Chuck Marsh, U.S. Central Air Forces-Forward Public Affairs,
SOUTHWEST ASIA: For the first time in their 52-year history, the Japan Air Self Defense Force began its first United Nations mission over Iraq Sept. 6.
The first flight of their new mission landed safely at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, before returning to its forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia later that day.
The mission, transporting U.N. members and cargo for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, adds to Japan's already established role of air-transporting coalition troops and cargo.
While the JASDF C-130s will continue the majority of their flights in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, their C-130s now have a dedicated mission solely for passengers and cargo on U.N. flights.
“Although the Japan Self Defense Force (Japanese army) has experienced this kind of extended period in operations abroad, such as (peacekeeping operations) in Cambodia, this is the first time the Air Self Defense Force has taken on a U.N. mission in Iraq ,” said Col. Shunji Izutsu, Japanese liaison officer to U.S. Central Command Air Forces.
“Not only does their taking this step mean a new page in Japanese history, it also re-enforces Japan's dedication to helping secure the future of Iraq and winning the war on terrorism,” said Maj. Gen. William L. Holland, deputy Combined Forces Air Component commander.
The colonel said Japanese airlift operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, consisting of nearly one-quarter of their C-130 fleet, have been successful. They have not only transported their Self Defense Force troops, but also continue to coordinate with the CAOC on missions to safely transport other coalition military members and cargo.
“This is a very significant event,” Colonel Izutsu said. “I believe our partnership has also contributed to reinforcing the U.S.-Japan alliance.
“The first goals of UNAMI were such as giving advice for a general election and drafting the constitution of Iraq,” Colonel Izutsu said. “With the government of Iraq established, UNAMI is trying to expand their activities to reconstruction, development and humanitarian support.”
The colonel said there have been no major problems with the addition of the U.N. mission, and they are prepared to transport people and pallets as needed. He added that while preparation and ground support for United Nations are new issues, it is a good experience for the JASDF troops.
“Our Japanese coalition and United Nations partners have undertaken a great step for their Air Self Defense Force by performing the UNAMI missions,” General Holland said. “They were asked by the United Nations to take on this role and, as a testament to their Air Self Defense Force, have transitioned seamlessly.”
The Japanese aircrew and support crews have been working in Iraq supporting the coalition with airlift since December 2003, so they have been flying missions and are familiar with transport missions in Iraq . The main difference now, said the colonel, is the level of coordination for missions.
“Since our current missions here require military-to-military coordination, it is fairly easy to be flexible. We can deal with any unexpected incidents quickly and adequately,” Colonel Izutsu said. “Conversely, the coordination between the United Nations and our staff at the working level can, at times, prove difficult and time-consuming. Once these issues are resolved, our mission supporting UNAMI should become similar to the current mission.”
No matter which missions the Japanese C-130s are tasked to fly, they know their contributions play a key part in the war on terrorism.
“That Japan supports UNAMI while also participating in the coalition means Japan is putting a lot of effort to contribute to Iraqi reconstruction,” the colonel said. JASDF's C-130s play an important role with significant meaning.
“Stabilizing public security in Iraq by the coalition forces is a crucial condition,” he added. “However, in addition to that, various kinds of international cooperation are necessary and the activity of UNAMI is one of them. If the JASDF mission becomes the contact point between United Nations and the coalition and facilitates mutual understanding between them, this should be meaningful for Iraqi reconstruction.”
Colonel Izutsu said in order to understand the future of Iraq, people must look back at the history of both Japan and the United States, each of which went through devastating civil conflicts, but emerged as modern, stabilized nations.
“I surely appreciate the coalition soldiers who are working very hard to stabilize Iraqi public security,” he said. “Also, I pray for the souls for soldiers and innocent civilians who have been killed during this turmoil.
“If you look back in time to the middle of 19th century, both the United States and Japan experienced severe domestic turmoil as well, in the way of the Civil War and the Meiji Restoration. After their conflicts, both stepped forward as modern nations. Iraq itself is a modern nation and the birth place of the Mesopotamian civilization. In the future, I believe Iraq will be a democratized modern nation, but in the meantime I will continue to hope for a stabilized and reconstructed Iraq.”
