 Of course, of course, so today we're conducting a bilateral combo with Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. The mission we have today is transport 20 ISO containers from Naha Military Port all the way to Kinzer. Today we have five vehicles, four of them with PLST trailers. So we can take a total of nine containers at once. Of course, there's going to be one, a trip that is only going to have two containers. And depending on the situation and how they go to determine which convoy will that be. So the way there, we arrived approximately at 2100, that's when we left here, 2100. And the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces were waiting for us here at the gates. They were providing headlights and taillights for us, so we made them at the gates. The vehicles came in and we head to Naha Military Port. Of course, we have five LVSRs, four of them with trailers, so we could move nine containers at once. Once at Naha Military Port we waited a little bit, maybe under an hour for the containers to load down. And then we were going to do nine containers at once, nine containers, and then two containers. But we decided to do it a little bit faster with the flexible and we moved two containers the first trip. And I think that those little decisions right staying flexible and planning is nothing, planning is everything is what helped us out to complete the mission. So we head there to Kinzer, we unloaded the first two containers and we head back. By the time we came back, we only had to load three more containers and we head again all the way to Kinzer. And then it was just home stretch, come back those last nine and head to Kinzer to unload them. Another thing that we changed at the beginning is that we were only using Marine Corps HE equipment. We had plenty of HE when we were over there at Naha Military Port but not in Kinzer. So once in Kinzer, so the Japanese had an HE standby. And I asked them if they could help us, they asked their commander, he got approved. So that also facilitated the process. Not many people thought we were going to be able to complete this mission in one night, but we did. And it was because of that, because of the help of the Japanese and staying flexible. So my unit through transportation battalion Alpha Company is assisting with moving these 20 ISO containers in support of Kinzer. These 20 ISO containers were coming from the Japanese ground self-defense forces, which I think is in part why this mission is so important. And it has such a big impact on both forces. It was an American ship taking Japanese ISO containers, right? We were using American equipment, American vehicles to transport this equipment to the ISO containers to the Japanese in Camp Kinzer. So they could be able to continue with the operations during Kinzer. Everything we can do more realistic when it comes to combat is going to benefit our Marines and us in the way how we react towards a crisis. I mean, we have been improving. Resolute Dragon a couple of months ago was the first time we did a bilateral COC with the Japanese, first time ever. So we definitely are improving. And for Kinzer, it was my first time interacting with the Japanese ground self-defense forces as we did. And they are as invested in these operations as we are. So overall, I think the Marine Corps and the United States government makes a really good job working with their allies. And of course, here in the Japanese, we have been working with them, but not as good as we're currently doing. It was the first time I see the Japanese ground self-defense forces so involved in our exercise. And when we were going during the combos, they were just asking me, okay, so what does it work means, right? The different words we use for the convoys, our SOPs, all that good stuff. So they could understand and they would tell me, well, we do the same thing, we just call it a different way. So it helped me to realize that we're not that different. And working together is definitely not as difficult as long as we're willing to work together. Of course, of course, I think first the flexibility and the responsibility and the different relationships we have in this exercise. For example, the first brief I did, it was in front of approximately 50 people, right? It was the first time I briefed so many people at once and it was divided. The room was on the left for the Japanese and the right for the Americans, right? One commander of each representing. So that was good. I did a PowerPoint presentation explaining the schema maneuver and it went very well. So that was the first interaction we had with them. That was a surprise. I thought I was going to be brief and probably max 10 people, not 50, right? So that was good. Understanding that they're really giving importance to these operations we're doing and they're as invested as we are. Once the operation started, they were as excited as I was, right? So the energy was mutual. We were happy to work together. We were happy to see how the other ones work and happy to understand and where Alice here in the Pacific. So the main takeaway from this convoy was the flexibility and stamina of our Marines. Throughout the night they were in high spirits. They were in tired, they weren't falling asleep. They were motivated and looking forward to accomplish the mission as much as we did. And once again, the Japanese are amazing Alice. They were the entire night as excited as we were to accomplish the mission. And on both parts, we did our best to learn as much as we come from each other. I think that the biggest learning for me is that they actually want to work with us. That was a surprise. I always thought they were like their guests here but they didn't really want it to. But I felt they really want our presence. They really want to be Alice. It's like for the first time I felt it was in the Japanese or Americans. It was us as a team working together to accomplish one common mission. So definitely that's a big learning and how humble they were and willing to work with us. And the respect they had towards us and our operations. That's probably the main takeaway and one of the biggest learnings I will have and my attitude I will change towards the future operations. Yeah, it makes me feel important that for the first time I'm making a difference that I'm doing my job. That I see these Marines working hard doing what they're supposed to and I can see what we're supposed to do. I can see what our Marines are trained to do and they are very good at it. And as an officer you don't always get the chance to be with them, to be in the field, to do that type of stuff. So when I do, I really enjoy it and I'm grateful that this opportunity it was me, the one that had the chance to be the convoy commander for this mission. It prepares me very well when it comes to international relationships. Even within here in Okinawa we usually do our own convoy and our own operations. And I was talking to my Marines, some of them were very experienced and it was the first time they deal with the Japanese and they are so invested as we were in this mission. So definitely he showed us that we have allies and they are looking forward to work with us. And I was able to see them interacting with them. We were unloading the vehicles, moving the vehicles, right? Because there were parts controlled by the Japanese and parts controlled by the Americans. But it was kind of beautiful to see them working in harmony. And I think that's the main takeaway. That's why we were able to finish a mission of such a smooth way because we work in harmony. It must sound cheesy but it makes you feel something better than yourself, right? If I would have stayed back home and never joined the Marine Corps I would have probably never been the opportunity of doing this, right? But it makes you feel important. And the same thing I told these Marines, they are making a big difference here in the missions we have in the Pacific, in Okinawa and with our allies. So it definitely makes you feel part not only Americans not only Japanese, it's of a friendship, of an alliance. And it's just a phenomenal feeling. Yeah, I'm looking forward to keep working with them. And sometimes for the Marines to stay motivated they need to know why, right? And that's like, why are we doing this? Why do we do all this stuff? And it's easy. We are through transportation battalion within CLR 3, within the MOG. And our main goal is to move the Marine expeditionary forces. We provide the mobility they need to accomplish the mission. And in this specific operation, we went even farther. We not only move the MEP, but we also move our allies to Japanese grounds say, of defense forces. So definitely our unit as such is moving a lot and it's bringing a lot to the table. And I think that the mobility needed to accomplish the mission to move between the island change is in part thanks to us, to the motor transport companies. And it was a wonderful experience to be part of this convoy. And I think the cherry on the top was at the end of the mission, right? When I went and talked to the colonel, Japanese colonel and he gave me a coin. It was the first time I got a coin within the Marine Corps so it was very meaningful. And I remember that when I first briefed the mission was to move to Ani-Asia containers and come back home safely here to foster. And he said, I'm just hoping that you accomplish your mission and all of you and your Marines and equipment go back home safely to foster.