Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, GA -- Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) visited Marine Corps Logistics Command during the Advanced Amphibious Assault (AAA) Program Management Review (PMR) hosted by Marine Corps Systems Command on Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Georgia, February 18 and 19, 2020.
The PMR brought together Amphibious Assault Vehicle subject matter experts from MARCORSYSCOM, Program Executive Office-Land Systems, and the JGSDF in order to review the status of the AAV foreign military sales case.
Jon S. McKinney, foreign affairs specialist, Marine Corps Systems Command said that the PMR is unique to each weapon system. “During a PMR, we facilitate discussion on topics from sustainment of the weapons system to the overall health and status of the program,” said McKinney.
Conducting periodic reviews with our strategic partners supports a key line of effort from the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which is to strengthen alliances with our strategic partners.
Unique to this AAA PMR was a tour of Marine Depot Maintenance Command’s Production Plant Albany.
Col. Chikao Kuramochi, chief arms section, Logistics Department, Ground Staff Office, JGSDF noted that it was important for their team to learn more about our depot level maintenance.
“We are grateful to achieve our goal, specific to the AAV, to be able to observe MDMC’s processes. This greatly improved the outcome of this PMR, as it deepens our understanding and helps us to improve our maintenance program,” added Kuramochi.
Marines and civilian-Marines of MDMC took the opportunity to discuss in detail their process to induct and complete depot level maintenance on AAV’s.
After touring the production plant, the JGSDF delegation received a MARCORLOGCOM command overview brief.
The inclusion of the tour and briefs as part of the PMR had additional benefits as described by Col. Masayuki Endo, project manager Amphibious Assault Vehicle 7, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, JGSDF. “This enhanced PMR improves the maritime capability of the JGSDF,” said Endo.
Endo added that the PMR deepens our interoperability when engaging in joint exercises with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
“This helps to improve our maintenance processes, specifically during joint exercises such as Iron Fist. With aligned processes, and our increased maintenance capabilities we become a more effective partner through the exercise,” added Endo.
McKinney summarized the event saying that PMR facilitators utilized a total package approach with our strategic partner. “Incorporating MARCORLOGCOM and depot maintenance as part of the review affords the JGSDF the opportunity to fully understand our total life cycle approach and eventually improve their sustainment of the AAV. Helping our partner is the purpose of the PMR, and this was a tremendous success,” said McKinney.