Japan and U.S. forces come together to ‘Guard and Protect’ MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 9th Division, 5th Infantry Regiment, are debriefed after a successful Exercise Guard and Protect scenario March 13, 2009. The JGSDF troops were part of a 24-hour exercise that partnered them with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 3rd Air Wing and the 35th Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)