(3)Core unit of Iraqi-bound Japanese ground troops arrive in Kuwait

(3)Core unit of Iraqi-bound Japanese ground troops arrive in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait - Col. Koichiro Bansho (L), head of the contingent of noncombant troops from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, receives flowers from Mieko Tarui, wife of Ambassador to Kuwait Sumio Tarui (R), on arrival at Abudullah Al-Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait on Feb. 22 on his way to southern Iraq to join a Japanese humanitarian mission.

(6)Colors handed to head of GSDF core unit

(6)Colors handed to head of GSDF core unit

ASAHIKAWA, Japan - Col. Koichiro Bansho, who heads the core contingent of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) noncombant troops to be sent to Iraq, speaks to reporters after receiving the colors from Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba at the GSDF garrison in Asahikawa on Feb. 1.

(3)Core unit of Iraqi-bound Japanese ground troops arrive in Kuw

(3)Core unit of Iraqi-bound Japanese ground troops arrive in Kuw

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait - Col. Koichiro Bansho (L), head of the contingent of noncombant troops from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, receives flowers from Mieko Tarui, wife of Ambassador to Kuwait Sumio Tarui (R), on arrival at Abudullah Al-Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait on Feb. 22 on his way to southern Iraq to join a Japanese humanitarian mission. (Kyodo)

(6)Colors handed to head of GSDF core unit

(6)Colors handed to head of GSDF core unit

ASAHIKAWA, Japan - Col. Koichiro Bansho, who heads the core contingent of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) noncombant troops to be sent to Iraq, speaks to reporters after receiving the colors from Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba at the GSDF garrison in Asahikawa on Feb. 1. (Kyodo)