 U.S. forces in Okinawa resume CH-53D flights On August 22, U.S. forces in Okinawa resumed flights of CH-53D helicopters, the same model as the one that crashed at a university campus on August 13. In a statement issued on the same day, Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi criticized the U.S. forces for "treating Okinawa as if it is under military administration in violation of Japan's sovereignty." Iha said that it is "very regrettable" that the U.S. forces ignored the demand of Ginowan and Okinawa residents for a halt of fights by aircraft stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. Japanese Communist Party representative Akamine Seiken condemned the U.S. forces for putting military missions above people's lives. He said that the Japanese government must end its subservience to the United States. (end) |