Kadena Town opposes U.S. forces' plan to deploy U2 spy aircraft

The Command of the U.S. Forces in Japan on September 5 announced that four U2 reconnaissance aircraft and 150 personnel will be transferred from South Korea to U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

The reason the U.S. Forces gave for the deployment was the repair of a South Korean base runways to begin in late September.
Local municipalities hosting Kadena Air Base are angered at the plan to strengthen the base function following the transfer of a medical air transport unit from Yokota Base in Tokyo.

Kadena Town has expressed strong opposition to the deployment plan in fear of a possible increase in noise and a danger of accidents. The U.S. forces have a history of permanently stationing aircraft at the Kadena base in spite of the fact that their stated plan at the time was to "temporarily transfer" them from the Philippines. The local municipalities are concerned about a similar scheme this time. (end)