5th contingent of Japanese GSDF troops leaves for Iraq

5th contingent of Japanese GSDF troops leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - The fifth contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops leaves Haneda airport in Tokyo for Kuwait on Jan. 7 en route to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah to assist in the country's reconstruction.

GSDF leader in Samawah says local sentiment not worsening

GSDF leader in Samawah says local sentiment not worsening

NAGOYA, Japan - Col. Kiyohiko Ota (on the screen), the leader of Japan's fifth contingent of the Ground Self-Defense Force on an aid mission in Samawah, southern Iraq, speaks to reporters in a Nagoya garrison, home to the majority of troops in his contingent, via videophone from Samawah on March 8. Ota said he did not feel any deterioration in local sentiment toward Japanese troops and that the area is relatively stable after British forces took over security duties from Dutch troops in the area on March 7.

GSDF holds ceremony for 5th Iraq-bound contingent

GSDF holds ceremony for 5th Iraq-bound contingent

NAGOYA, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force members march in Nagoya on Feb. 5 ahead of a ceremony to deliver a unit flag to its fifth contingent to be deployed in southern Iraq on a three-month humanitarian mission. The unit, consisting of about 500 troops, will be sent to Iraq in three batches at weekly intervals.

GSDF holds ceremony for 5th Iraq-bound contingent

GSDF holds ceremony for 5th Iraq-bound contingent

NAGOYA, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force members march in Nagoya on Feb. 5 ahead of a ceremony to deliver a unit flag to its fifth contingent to be deployed in southern Iraq on a three-month humanitarian mission. The unit, consisting of about 500 troops, will be sent to Iraq in three batches at weekly intervals. (Kyodo)

GSDF leader in Samawah says local sentiment not worsening

GSDF leader in Samawah says local sentiment not worsening

NAGOYA, Japan - Col. Kiyohiko Ota (on the screen), the leader of Japan's fifth contingent of the Ground Self-Defense Force on an aid mission in Samawah, southern Iraq, speaks to reporters in a Nagoya garrison, home to the majority of troops in his contingent, via videophone from Samawah on March 8. Ota said he did not feel any deterioration in local sentiment toward Japanese troops and that the area is relatively stable after British forces took over security duties from Dutch troops in the area on March 7. (Kyodo)

5th contingent of Japanese GSDF troops leave for Iraq

5th contingent of Japanese GSDF troops leave for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - The fifth contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops leaves Haneda airport in Tokyo for Kuwait on Jan. 7 en route to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah to assist in the country's reconstruction. (Kyodo)