 Sailors at Fleet Activity's SOSPO joined with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to run anti-terrorism drills during their annual Garden Protect exercise. When we go to a heightened threat condition, when something does happen, there are immediate allies as well. They can give us direct support to help us sustain the mission and protect our assets here in SOSPO. It's really a big benefit to me to see how our guys can train and increase our knowledge. I like these drills because it gets us out of a normal law enforcement mindset, more than just pulling over cars or writing tickets, it gets us thinking anti-terrorism. Security personnel had to work with other commands around the base to solve unusual situations. We had a hostage situation take place, an individual was basically upset, which can happen, so he wanted some answers, wanted some help, and he decided to take some lives instead. Instead we were able to take care of the situation and that's what we train for, we work hard for, we all work together to bring this all together at a safe and peaceful evolution. The team solved the problem and rescued the hostage and the medical team responded to show that these sailors are ready for these scenarios. We have a great staff, great training staff that wants to sit there and learn and teach and get out there as well as our security people are willing to respond and show they do their job every day. Chief Petty Officer Andrew Jansta was satisfied with the performance of his teams during the exercise. I love it. This was my second exercise here, there's always some things that we can do better, but I love being on the training side of it and seeing what happens from a distance. While the subjects in these drills were members of the CFAS community, security forces around the base are now ready to respond if faced with the real thing. Team and Andrew Frisbee, Fleet Activities, Saaspa, Japan.