U.S. Marines with Weapons Co., 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force performed unknown distance sniper fires during exercise Northern Viper on August 17, 2017, in Chitose, Japan. br br Training like this enhanced the service members joint-capabilities and allowed them to share different techniques and tactics. Northern Viper is a large scale exercise that has many bilateral training opportunities that help strengthen the capabilities of the United States and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.br br br br Credit to : Sgt.