A KC-130 aerial refuelling tanker stationed at Iwakuni base trains at Futenma Air Station

A KC-130 aerial refuelling tanker stationed at Iwakuni base trains at Futenma Air Station

A KC-130 aerial refuelling tanker circled over the residential area around Futenma Air Station in the Futenma district of Ginowan on September 15.


September 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 15, a KC-130 aerial refuelling tanker, which is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture, performed “touch-and-go” landings for over an hour as part of training at Futenma Air Station.

After moving the aircraft to Iwakuni at the end of August, the US military has continued bringing the aircraft to Futenma. This is the first time the aircraft has performed a “touch-and-go” landing, a manoeuvre that involves landing on the runway and taking off again without coming to a complete stop.

A KC-130 aerial refuelling tanker flew to Futenma around 11:48 a.m. on that day. From the early afternoon until 2 p.m., the aircraft was used for drills every 5 to 10 minutes.

The U.S. and Japanese governments completed the transfer of all 15 aircraft and squadrons to Iwakuni at the end of August. However, the military had stated that they would continue using the aircraft for training in Okinawa, due to the need to work with ground forces. Many people doubt the transfer actually amounts to a reduction in the base burden on Okinawa.

(English translation by T&CT)

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