Municipalities protest plan to deploy US F-35A stealth fighters to Kadena

 

October 25, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On October 24, the 18th Wing at U.S. Kadena Air Base announced that it will deploy at least 12 F-35A stealth fighters to the base in November for half a year.

 

According to local municipalities, two aircraft are scheduled to arrive this week. It will be the first deployment in the India, Asia and the Pacific region.

The U.S. Air Force emphasized the importance of providing global and accurate attack capability against increasing threats.

The local municipalities are opposed to the F-35A deployment because it will increase the base burden on local people.

They have sent a protest letter to the U.S. military.

 

On October 24, the Three Municipalities Liaison Council (Chairperson Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae) consisting of the mayors of Okinawa City, Kadena and Chatan Town near the Kadena Air Base sent a protest letter to the relevant agencies of the U.S. and Japanese governments urging them to stop the F-35A deployment.

 

The protest letter was sent to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base and the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s Okinawa liaison office and the U.S. Consulate General Naha.

The protest letter condemned the deployment of the F-35As saying, “It is absolutely unforgivable that the F-35A stealth fighters will be deployed amid the residents’ concerns over U.S. military aircraft accidents taking place one after another.

It will force more burden on residents.”

 

The chairperson of the three municipalities’ liaison council Kuwae said to reporters, “The noise levels in the areas around the base will be doubled.

I would like to have a reasonable explanation from the military, as to whether it is for safety purposes in the Asia-Pacific region or not.”

 

(English translation by T&CT)

 

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