Last GSDF contingent heads to Iraq

Last GSDF contingent heads to Iraq

Kuwait - The last contingent of the main Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force on a mission to help reconstruct Iraq prepares to cross the Kuwait-Iraq border to head to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

(3) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(3) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - A member of an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops takes his position at the U.S. base near the Kuwait-Iraq border before heading for the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on Jan. 19.

(1)Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(1)Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - An advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) heads toward the border with Iraq from Kuwait on Jan. 19 to prepare for aid activities in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. The controversial deployment is the first time since World War II that Japanese troops have set foot in a country where hostilities are taking place.

(4) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(4) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - Armored vehicles carrying an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops cross the border into Iraq from Kuwait on Jan. 19 to prepare for aid activities in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

(2) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(2) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - Col. Masahisa Sato (2nd from L), head of an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops, talks with Dutch soldiers at the U.S. base near the Kuwait-Iraq border on Jan. 19.

(3) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(3) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - A member of an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops takes his position at the U.S. base near the Kuwait-Iraq border before heading for the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on Jan. 19. (Kyodo)

(4) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(4) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - Armored vehicles carrying an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops cross the border into Iraq from Kuwait on Jan. 19 to prepare for aid activities in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. (Kyodo)

(2) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(2) Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - Col. Masahisa Sato (2nd from L), head of an advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops, talks with Dutch soldiers at the U.S. base near the Kuwait-Iraq border on Jan. 19. (Kyodo)

(1)Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

(1)Japanese advance ground troops enter Iraq

KUWAIT-IRAQ BORDER - An advance team of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) heads toward the border with Iraq from Kuwait on Jan. 19 to prepare for aid activities in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. The controversial deployment is the first time since World War II that Japanese troops have set foot in a country where hostilities are taking place. (Kyodo)

Last GSDF contingent heads to Iraq

Last GSDF contingent heads to Iraq

Kuwait - The last contingent of the main Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force on a mission to help reconstruct Iraq prepares to cross the Kuwait-Iraq border to head to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah. (Kyodo)