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VIGILANT ISLES ~ 16 Air Assault Train in Japan

Paratroopers from Guardsman Parachute Platoon 3 PARA and from 1st Airborne Brigade JGSDF aim down their sights when working together during Exercise VIGILANT ISLES 24 [Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

Exercise VIGILANT ISLES 24 saw more than 100 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade train in Japan alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces.

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Press Release, Whitehall, 27 January 2025: Paratroopers from the British Army’s global response force have joined forces with their Japanese counterparts to strengthen the relationship between the two nations’ militaries.

An officer from 16 Air Assault Brigade ISTAR works with the JGSDF headquarters to share information on enemy positions whilst on their final tactical exercise during Ex. VIGILANT ISLES [Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

Exercise VIGILANT ISLES 24 saw more than 100 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade train in Japan alongside the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces’ (JGSDF) 12th Brigade and 1st Airborne Brigade. With a focus on defensive operations, the British contingent deployed on the two-week-long drills (15-26 Jan) was built around the paratroopers of Colchester-based B Company, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (B Coy, 3 PARA).

At the mountainous Hijyudai training area on Kyushu, the training started with learning about each other’s equipment and tactics before deploying on a three-day mission to practice countering a hostile invasion. With Japanese paratroopers jumping in to secure a landing zone, B Coy 3 PARA and 12th Brigade soldiers landed from JGSDF Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters. Advancing on foot up steep hills and across tall and thick grassland, the troops worked in co-ordination to find and strike enemy positions assault and recapture territory.

Officer Commanding B Coy, 3 PARA engaged in planning with the 1st Airborne Brigade JGSDF whilst on the final tactical exercise during Ex. VIGILANT ISLES [Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

The joint forces’ planning was shaped by British Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. Electronic warfare specialists from 14 Signal Regiment monitored enemy communications to track their location, with Puma uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery providing eyes in the sky.

Soldier from 7th Royal Horse Artillery attached to 3 PARA working alongside a paratrooper from the 1st Airborne Brigade JGSDF on the final tactical exercise during Ex. VIGILANT ISLES [Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

Major Iain Thompson, Officer Commanding B Coy 3 PARA, said: “Exercise VIGILANT ISLES is about British and Japanese soldiers training together to be ready to operate together. With airborne and air assault units from each nation taking part, we started out with a similar mindset and skills that helped to create a very natural partnership, both in the field and off duty.

“The training we have done with the Japanese has developed our understanding of each other’s capabilities but will also benefit our soldiers whatever their next challenge is. Training in such an unfamiliar and demanding environment and learning from how the Japanese operate in these conditions will only improve our skills.”

Private Liam Thornton, a 3 PARA signaller, described the exercise as “a great experience”.

“It’s always good to come to a different country and work with other soldiers,” he said. “The Japanese are very professional as soldiers, but they’re also incredibly nice as people. The language barrier is there but, after training, we’ve been able to get to know each other and find out about Japanese culture.”

Paratrooper from B Company, 3 PARA brings in his Parrot ANAFI drone after screening for enemy positions whilst on the final tactical exercise working alongside 1st Airborne Brigade JGSDF during Ex. VIGILANT ISLES
[Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

At the exercise’s closing ceremony, Major General Masaki Maejima, 12th Brigade commander, said the two nations’ troops had “improved our skills together”.

“Based on the results of this training, we will make further efforts to reinforce our relationship and improve our operational capabilities to meet any contingencies together,” he said.

Exercise VIGILANT ISLES – running for the third time – is part of the deepening military relationship between the UK and Japan, built around a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security. The UK is the only European country able to conduct bilateral military training in Japan.

Paratroopers from the Guards Parachute Platoon performing contact drills whilst a soldier from the JGSDF observes their Standard Operating Procedures during Ex. VIGILANT ISLES [Crown Copyright: Cpl Aaron J Stone]

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