Winter has made its mark early on Hokkaido – the snow falls silently, blanketing the forest as a pale sun filters through the trees. In the distance, the volcanic dome of Mount Eniwa is capped in pristine white.
It’s a scene worthy of a Christmas card, but today at least, peace on earth is an illusion.
Without warning, the quiet is shattered by the crackle of rifle fire and barked orders as soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment mount a determined attack on their counterparts from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces.
The drill is part of Exercise Vigilant Isles, a now regular bilateral training package aimed at increasing interoperability between the two nations.
Staged over two weeks at the Minami-Eniwa training area – on the northernmost of Japan’s main islands – it has seen members of A Company and the hosts’ 5th Brigade familiarising themselves with each other’s equipment and tactics.
Crucially for the British infanteers, this included completing parachute jumps under Japanese canopies from Air Self Defence Force Hercules aircraft – a much sought-after opportunity to gain a partner nation’s wings.
With the basics squared away, they have now deployed on a simulated mission to repel an invasion in a dynamic serial that saw them inserting via air, helicopter and amphibious landing craft.
Unit boss Maj Eddie Brecht (Para) says he’s been impressed with the speed at which troops have got on the same page.
“I’ve visited more than 15 countries during my army career and never have I seen British soldiers integrate so quickly with those of another nation,” he observes.
“Cultural exchanges, multinational training serials and parachute jumps have ensured that we know each other intimately before we are tested against a live enemy on what will be a complex and arduous training exercise.
“This will see the force deploy by four different insertion methods – a fantastic opportunity for all ranks and cap badges.
“The exposure to Japanese procedures and doctrine will enable us to consider ways to both test and improve our own high-readiness concept of employment.”
As well as conducting joint tactical airborne ops together for the first time, the officer says comms have been more closely integrated, with UK Istar (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance) systems identifying enemy assets for Japanese fires to strike with precision.
Supporting this effort on the British side are Puma uncrewed aerial platforms from 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery and a light electronic warfare team from 14 Signal Regiment.
Now in its fourth iteration since 2018, Exercise Vigilant Isles has evidently developed into a mutually beneficial arrangement for both sides – as well as for wider security in the Far East.
And as the only country to conduct bilateral drills in Japan, it’s a privilege UK troops do not take lightly, explains Maj Brecht.
“It manifests a genuine opportunity to increase our warfighting preparedness, while also reaffirming our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he says.
“This has also been a fantastic experience for our soldiers to develop their skills, while building enduring friendships at the same time.”
Once the package winds down and calm returns to the snowy landscape of Eniwa, something lasting will remain.
The UK and Japanese personnel will part not just as colleagues, but as comrades – members of an airborne fraternity that is ready to step up when it matters.
In the season of goodwill, reciprocal strength and respect are gifts worth exchanging.
