Capt. Engels participates in historic military training with Japanese unit

    FORT IRWIN, Calif. — A U.S. Army captain with Presque Isle roots recently participated in a first-of-its-kind joint training operation with Japanese soldiers.
A battalion of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force joined Troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment for a first-of-its-kind training exercise at the National Training Center in January. Capt. Sebastian Engels, the son of Dr. Carole St. Pierre-Engels and Richard Engels of Presque Isle, is commander of C Troop, 1/11ACR, based out of Fort Lewis, Wash.
The training exercise aimed at preparing the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, from Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., for worldwide deployment including the challenges faced while working with host nation militaries. The exercise also gave American and Japanese forces a chance to expand upon an existing partnership.
Capt. Engels explained that initially a communication barrier existed between 11th ACR Troopers and Japanese soldiers. Both units had to rely on interpreters to communicate. Technical aspects were even more difficult.
“We could not talk to them on the radios because our systems were not configured to talk to each other,” he said.
The maneuvering capabilities of the two elements also presented a challenge.
“Their vehicles were not ready for the environment,” Engels continued. “They popped a lot of tires, but they were quick to adapt.”
Engels explained, though each unit had to make adjustments on the fly, the attitude of each force was to adapt and overcome regardless of the conditions.
“It was definitely a test for the Army. It was the first time that it ever happened,” Engels said.
Engels found the exercise to have resonating benefits.
“It was a very unique experience,” Engels stated. “I think as we step back from Iraq and Afghanistan, a lot of my Troopers have not had the experience to work with an allied military. This was eye-opening for a lot of these guys who may have come from somewhere where they never left their hometown prior to joining the Army. Now all of a sudden they are climbing aboard a Type 74 Tank (main battle tank of the JGSDF) and conversing with Japanese soldiers on the similarities or the differences of our equipment or even, the cultural similarities and differences.
“And I think that more than anything else that was a win for me. In the event we ever have to go work with these guys in the future at the very least we have this to look back on and say ‘Hey, it’s still possible.’ It’s absolutely possible to work with another military,” he said.