JGSDF brings in munitions to Bora Training Ground in Miyakojima, keep details of delivery secret
Trucks transporting munitions to the JGSDF Bora Training Ground – June 2, 8:45 p.m. Bora Gusukube, Miyakojima
June 3, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) began bringing in munitions such as missiles to their training grounds in Bora Gusukube, Miyakojima June 2. A pair of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters were seen flying into Miyakojima, and munitions were loaded into vehicles and transported onto the Bora Training Ground. It is thought that this air transport is the beginning of an acceleration of the plan to deploy surface-to-air and surface-to-ship missiles to Miyakojima. Details regarding the amount and type of munitions transported to the island were not officially announced by the JSDF, however it is highly unlikely that the shipment contained surface-to-ship or surface-to-air missiles. According to someone with knowledge of the situation, the JSDF was considering transporting the surface-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles overseas, however it seems they are readjusting their shipping plan.
The two helicopters took off from JASDF Naha Air Base at the same time around noon on June 2. According to a source, the aircraft originated from a JASDF installation in Kyushu, and stopped in Naha for refueling. Just after 1:00 p.m., the Miyako Area Security force informed the city that they would be delivering munitions. Starting at 2:00 p.m. the helicopters landed at the JASDF Miyakojima Sub Base in Ueno Nobaru, Miyakojima. The munitions were loaded onto vehicles, and transported to the Bora Training Ground.
Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said that the prior information offered to the prefecture and the city was insufficient, commenting that it was “truly regrettable,” and said the evening of the delivery, “It must be strongly indicated that [prior information] is indispensable from a crisis management standpoint.”
Construction began at the Bora Training Ground in 2019, and as of April 2020 two of the three planned ammunition depots have been completed.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) visited Miyakojima on May 13, and announced that munitions would begin being delivered to the training ground starting May 17. Miyakojima mayor Kazuyuki Zakimi requested that details be made public for the “safety of the citizens,” however the MoD has not responded.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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