Eighth Army to participate in Yama Sakura in Japan
By Walter T. Ham IV, Eighth Army Public Affairs
Eighth Army will participate in Yama Sakura in Japan from Jan. 24 - Feb. 5. U.S. Army file photo by Sgt. Park Young-ho, Eighth Army Public Affairs.
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Approximately 150 American Soldiers from the Eighth Army headquarters element will participate in Exercise Yama Sakura in Japan from Jan. 24 - Feb. 5.
Serving in the role as higher command for participating U.S. forces, Eighth Army is training together with U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Army Japan and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force during the annual exercise.
The joint and combined command post exercise will improve Eighth Army’s ability to defend South Korea and maintain regional security.
Short regional exercises like Yama Sakura, Cobra Gold in Thailand and Balikitan in the Philippines provide valuable training opportunities for Eighth Army, the U.S. Army’s premier operational headquarters in Asia.
“This exercise improves Eighth Army’s ability to deter or defeat aggression on the Korean Peninsula,” said Eighth Army Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. David J. Conboy. “It also strengthens the Republic of Korea-United States Alliance by enabling critical staff coordination and collaboration at the multi-national level.”