Col. Koichi Ikeda of the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force) comes from Defense Operation Section of Operation Department (J-3) of Joint Staff Office. Prior to his assignment at J3, Col. Ikeda served as Commander of the 104th Aviation Unit. His other past recent assignments include Personal and Education Department, Ground Staff Office (2007-2009), and aide-de-camp to Vice Defense Minister (2005-2007), Col. Ikeda also served in Iraq in 2004 as a part of the 1st Iraq Reconstruction Support Unit.
