Local fishermen oppose U.S. parachute drop training by Tsukenjima during mozuku peak season
May 3, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On May 2 the U.S. military conducted parachute drop training over the ocean at Tsukenjima Training Area in Uruma City.
In the exercise, nine people in total dropped out of an MC-130 special mission aircraft.
This is the second such training conducted this year.
Individuals involved in the fishing industry have openly opposed the training.
Liners and fishing boats traverse the water training area.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) and Uruma City government are requesting that these training exercises stop.
Five people practiced parachute drop training just past 1:00 p.m., and four more followed suit around 1:30 p.m., falling into the water.
The U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that training would be conducted between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
Mozuku seaweed in the vicinity of the water training area has reached its peak season.
During Golden Week people visit to go diving.
Yonashiro Town Fishery Cooperative president Masayuki Tamae said, “Worst-case, there could be an accident and oil could spill [into the ocean].
I want training in the beautiful ocean to stop.”
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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