U.S. 'exhibition flights' canceled by local resistance

Captain Kevin Patrick MacNamara, commanding officer of the U.S. Atsugi Naval Air Facility, on April 18 visited base-hosting city governments of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture to inform them that this year's "exhibition flight" has been canceled due to local opposition.

Local movements and public opinion have, for the first time, driven the U.S. Forces to give up their planned aircraft "exhibition flight" on July 28 and 29 at U.S. Atsugi air base.

"Exhibition flights" are used to show off formation flights and aerial acrobatics such as abrupt turns and climbing. In the past, such air shows (which cause sonic booms) have interrupted local school sports events.

The U.S. Forces' decision to cancel demo flights came amidst growing complaints concerning noise caused by U.S. night landing practices (NLP), Yamato City's announcement to break off friendship ties with the U.S. Forces because of citizens' anger against NLPs, and criticism against the U.S. Forces attitude towards the U.S. nuclear submarine collision with the Japanese fisheries training ship off Hawaii.

Yamato and Ayase city mayors commented by saying that they welcome the cancellation of "exhibition flights."

Hara Akimasa, president of the Yamato Peace Committee, said "We, as a local peace organization have encouraged the city government for a long time, and we'll continue to do so in order for the city to carry though on its decisive attitude towards the U.S. Forces." (end)