U.S. fighter jets carry out operations against Iraq from bases in Japan

Akahata of January 28 reported that U.S. fighter aircraft units on a mission of enforcing the so-called no-fly zone in southern Iraq are from U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture and U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture.

The two bases' public affairs offices have disclosed this recently in reply to Akahata's inquiry.

The Misawa Base's public affairs offices revealed that 10 F-16 fighters and 400 personnel are taking part from the base in Operation "Southern Watch."

From the Kadena base 800 members with F-15 fighters were dispatched in September 2002 to Operation Southern Watch as well as to operations in Afghanistan.

No-fly zones were unilaterally imposed on northern and southern Iraq by the United States and Britain. U.S. and British forces are using the "enforcement" of the two no-fly zones to constantly carry out air strikes against Iraq.

Akahata warned that if the United States starts a war against Iraq, the Misawa and Kadena bases will be used to send fighter aircraft units to attack Iraq. (end)