U.S. Air Force to establish new medical unit at Kadena

The U.S. Air Force Pacific Command recently announced that it will establish the 18th medical airlift squadron at the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. The local municipalities concerned have expressed anxiety and opposition to the plan.

The new unit comprised of 119 aeromedical personnel with KC-135 tankers will replace four C-9 medical transport units of the 374th airlift squadron at the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, which will be retired by next October.

An Okinawa Prefectural government officer in charge of U.S. base issues stated, "We are inquiring into the matter now. If the plan is implemented, it will mean going against the Japan-U.S. agreement on reduction of U.S. bases in Okinawa."

The Kadena Town office expressed its worries about the plan, saying, "There have been many flights of refueling aircraft around Kadena Base. Increased flights will cause more noise damage to the townspeople." (end)