Japan's GSDF troops arrive in Samawah

Japan's GSDF troops arrive in Samawah

SAMAWAH, Iraq - Members of the eighth contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops sent to Iraq to assist in the country's postwar reconstruction, arrive in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on Oct. 30.

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Hideyoshi Haraoka, a member of Japan's eighth GSDF contingent to be sent to Iraq for reconstruction assistance, smilingly watches as his family members talk to each other during a ceremony held at a garrison in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto to deliver a unit flag to his unit on Oct. 22. The first batch of the 500-member contingent, mostly drawn from units in Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, is scheduled to leave for Iraq later in the day.

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Members of Japan's eighth Ground Self-Defense Force contingent to be sent to Iraq for reconstruction assistance and their family members speak to reporters during a ceremony held at a garrison in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto prior to their departure on Oct. 22.

GSDF forms 8th contingent for Iraq support mission

GSDF forms 8th contingent for Iraq support mission

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kazunari Izumi, head of the Eighth Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force, hands a name plate to Takaaki Tachibana, commander of the eighth GSDF contingent to be dispatched to Iraq for a reconstruction support mission later this month, during a formation ceremony held in the city of Kumamoto on Oct. 11. The photo was released by the GSDF. (Kyodo)

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Members of Japan's eighth Ground Self-Defense Force contingent to be sent to Iraq for reconstruction assistance and their family members speak to reporters during a ceremony held at a garrison in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto prior to their departure on Oct. 22. (Kyodo)

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

Ceremony held for Japan's 8th contingent of troops for Iraq

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Hideyoshi Haraoka, a member of Japan's eighth GSDF contingent to be sent to Iraq for reconstruction assistance, smilingly watches as his family members talk to each other during a ceremony held at a garrison in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto to deliver a unit flag to his unit on Oct. 22. The first batch of the 500-member contingent, mostly drawn from units in Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, is scheduled to leave for Iraq later in the day. (Kyodo)

Japan's GSDF troops arrive in Samawah

Japan's GSDF troops arrive in Samawah

SAMAWAH, Iraq - Members of the eighth contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops sent to Iraq to assist in the country's postwar reconstruction, arrive in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on Oct. 30. (Kyodo)