Iwakuni to accept relocation of carrier-based aircraft, air station to become one of biggest in Far East
Jun. 24, 2017
by Kyoji Matsumoto, Staff Writer
Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda has expressed his intention to accept the plan to bring 61 carrier-based aircraft from the Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The relocation will begin in July or thereafter. During the city council’s plenary session on June 23, Mr. Fukuda said that he made the decision after careful consideration. It has been 11 years since Tokyo and Washington finalized their agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. This issue that has buffeted local Japanese communities has reached a major milestone.
Following Mr. Fukuda’s decision, the mayors of the neighboring towns of Waki and Suo-oshima will agree to support the plan in their respective town assembly on June 27. Tsugumasa Muraoka, the governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture, will express his acceptance in response to a question during a meeting of the prefectural assembly on June 30.
Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, welcomed the Iwakuni mayor’s decision. During a press conference held on June 23, Mr. Suga said that the need for the relocation has been recognized. After the completion of the relocation, the number of airplanes at the Iwakuni air station will double to about 120, exceeding the 100 stationed at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. The Iwakuni base will become one of the biggest U.S. bases in the Far East.
Explaining the background of his decision, Mayor Fukuda referred to the unstable security environment in the region, including tensions arising from North Korea’s actions. He said, “A close alliance between Japan and the U.S. is more important than ever. Much of the public understands the importance of the deterrence provided by the alliance between the U.S. military in Japan and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.” He added that he will continue to listen to the voices of citizens regarding their concerns in connection with the air station, and will speak up to the national government as necessary.
Mr. Fukuda also said that all the preconditions for accepting the relocation plan have been fulfilled. According to the mayor, the decision was made based on the fact that measures to ensure the safety and security of residents and regional promotion have been realized, steps that the city had requested the national government to implement. In addition, more realignment grants have been pledged and the views of citizens and the city assembly were taken into account.
According to the national government, 61 aircraft of the seven units attached to the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan will be moved to the air station. First, the E-2D early warning aircraft will move to Iwakuni in July or thereafter. In November, two squadrons of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which is said to be the primary source of noise, will follow. In January 2018, the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, which is equipped with the same type of engine, and the propeller C2 transport aircraft will be transferred. In May 2018, two units of the Super Hornet will be deployed.
Keywords
Relocation plan of U.S. carrier-based aircraft
As part of the realignment of U.S. military forces stationed in Japan, 61 carrier-based planes will be transferred from the Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. In May 2006, Tokyo and Washington agreed on this plan to alleviate noise pollution around the Atsugi base among other aims. The original plan set the number of airplanes at 59, but the Japanese government now expects that the number will be 61. Along with the airplanes, a total of 3,800 people will move to Iwakuni, including 1,700 service personnel, 600 civilian employees, and about 1,500 family members. The total number of people connected to the Iwakuni air station will exceed 12,000.
(Originally published on June 24, 2017)
Iwakuni Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda has expressed his intention to accept the plan to bring 61 carrier-based aircraft from the Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The relocation will begin in July or thereafter. During the city council’s plenary session on June 23, Mr. Fukuda said that he made the decision after careful consideration. It has been 11 years since Tokyo and Washington finalized their agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. This issue that has buffeted local Japanese communities has reached a major milestone.
Following Mr. Fukuda’s decision, the mayors of the neighboring towns of Waki and Suo-oshima will agree to support the plan in their respective town assembly on June 27. Tsugumasa Muraoka, the governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture, will express his acceptance in response to a question during a meeting of the prefectural assembly on June 30.
Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, welcomed the Iwakuni mayor’s decision. During a press conference held on June 23, Mr. Suga said that the need for the relocation has been recognized. After the completion of the relocation, the number of airplanes at the Iwakuni air station will double to about 120, exceeding the 100 stationed at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. The Iwakuni base will become one of the biggest U.S. bases in the Far East.
Explaining the background of his decision, Mayor Fukuda referred to the unstable security environment in the region, including tensions arising from North Korea’s actions. He said, “A close alliance between Japan and the U.S. is more important than ever. Much of the public understands the importance of the deterrence provided by the alliance between the U.S. military in Japan and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.” He added that he will continue to listen to the voices of citizens regarding their concerns in connection with the air station, and will speak up to the national government as necessary.
Mr. Fukuda also said that all the preconditions for accepting the relocation plan have been fulfilled. According to the mayor, the decision was made based on the fact that measures to ensure the safety and security of residents and regional promotion have been realized, steps that the city had requested the national government to implement. In addition, more realignment grants have been pledged and the views of citizens and the city assembly were taken into account.
According to the national government, 61 aircraft of the seven units attached to the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan will be moved to the air station. First, the E-2D early warning aircraft will move to Iwakuni in July or thereafter. In November, two squadrons of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, which is said to be the primary source of noise, will follow. In January 2018, the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, which is equipped with the same type of engine, and the propeller C2 transport aircraft will be transferred. In May 2018, two units of the Super Hornet will be deployed.
Keywords
Relocation plan of U.S. carrier-based aircraft
As part of the realignment of U.S. military forces stationed in Japan, 61 carrier-based planes will be transferred from the Atsugi Naval Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. In May 2006, Tokyo and Washington agreed on this plan to alleviate noise pollution around the Atsugi base among other aims. The original plan set the number of airplanes at 59, but the Japanese government now expects that the number will be 61. Along with the airplanes, a total of 3,800 people will move to Iwakuni, including 1,700 service personnel, 600 civilian employees, and about 1,500 family members. The total number of people connected to the Iwakuni air station will exceed 12,000.
(Originally published on June 24, 2017)
