Local Teacher Participates in National Guard Orient Shield 2011 Training Exercises
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 16, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Roberto Treviño,
(Laredo, Tx)- Hooah, Locked and Loaded, Comms, Self-Sufficient Tactical Road March, and Call for Fire are not the typical words you will find on a word wall in Gilberto Gonzalez classroom at Macdonell Elementary School. Gonzalez, along with Humberto Frausto Jr, Martin High School Police Officer, used these words daily as part of their training exercise in the Kita-Fuji Training Area, Japan recently during the Orient Shield 2011 training exercises.
Gonzalez and Frausto, along with 110 members from the Texas National Guard’s Third Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment joined members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), Eastern Army, 1st Division, and 1st Aviation in training exercises as part of this military operation.
The exercises are part of an annual bilateral combined arms training between American soldiers and members of the Japanese forces. The focus of the exercise was to develop tactical, bilateral operations and war-fighting skills, as well as reinforce our friendship and alliance between the U.S. and Japanese military forces.
“Exercises like this promote our enduring relationship, goodwill, and mutual understanding in order to improve and sustain our bilateral operation with Japan,” said Gonzalez. “The experience of working with a foreign counterpart was amazing. You can learn something from everybody even just training with a new squad. So the opportunity to train with the Japanese is an opportunity we will always remember.”
Throughout the two week training, the U.S. and Japanese counterpart performed mounted heliborne operations, road marching, field training, and infantry exercises. As part of the training exercises, the soldiers also participated in Culture Day where they experienced firsthand the Japanese traditions. One evening the soldiers were invited to dinner and were welcomed into the homes of local families.
“Tasting the food and experiencing the culture by making Sameri hats was fun and amazing. The local community opened their house and made us fell like family,” added Gonzalez.
Gonzalez and Frausto were joined in Japan by several LISD parents who are also part of the Texas National Guard.
