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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Air SDF carries out first bombing exercises in Guam

A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighter squadron on July 11 began live-fire bombing exercises at a U.S. forces base in Guam, its first exercise abroad. The ASDF has held bombing practices using live munitions three times in Japan, according to the Defense Agency.

This exercise is part of the 6th joint air exercises the ASDF has held with the U.S. Air Force, and the ASDF aims to increase its combat skills. Coupled with the ASDF's planned introduction of mid-air refueling aircraft, the exercises will enhance the ASDF's capabilities to rapidly invade foreign countries.

Participating in the joint exercises from the JASDF are 10 F-4 fighters and two E-2c Early Warning aircraft from the Misawa-based ASDF Third Air Wing.

The agency claims that the ASDF training grounds in Japan are too small to carry out live-shell bombing exercises.

Refueling JASDF aircraft by USAF increasing

In advance of the deployment of mid-air refueling Air SDF aircraft from 2006 under the December 2000 government decision, the ASDF carried out exercises for receiving fuel from USAF aircraft in April at the Nyutabaru Air Field in Miyazaki Prefecture and Hamamatsu Air Field in Shizuoka Prefecture.

In May, JASDF F-15s flew to Alaska to take part in the multinational exercises 'Coop Thunder,' and were refueled in the air by U.S. aircraft. This was the third overseas flight with refueling for the ASDF in joint U.S.-led multinational exercises.

Each of these steps is remaking the SDF into a genuine war fighting machine for combat abroad. - Akahata, July 10, 2005