35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shannon Hutto, 35th Security Forces Squadron integrated defense section chief, briefs 9th Division, Aomori, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force leadership on bilateral contingency operations during a three-day bilateral Guard and Protect exercise, as part of Keen Sword 21, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 27, 2020. Guard and Protect training allows U.S. and Japan forces to exercise plans for contingency operations. Lessons learned from each encounter are used to solidify and improve operational effectiveness. Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability. Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and JSDF personnel, designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melanie Bulow-Gonterman)