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U.S. F-15 crashes in Okinawa An F-15 fighter belonging to the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa crashed on January 17 into the sea about 100 kilometers east of Okinawa's main island. It was the 6th F-15 crash since Okinawa's administrative rights were returned to Japan in 1972. According to the Okinawa Fisheries Cooperative, the F-15 crashed in a tuna and bonito fishing area. The Japanese and U.S. governments are considering relocating F-15 fighters in Kadena to five Ground Self-Defense Force bases in mainland Japan, including one in Miyazaki Prefecture. Since 1972, U.S. military aircraft have caused about 400 accidents in Okinawa, including emergency landings, drop-offs of parts, fuel leaks, and landing failure. In 2004, a U.S. Marine helicopter crashed at the Okinawa International University located next to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City. Such accidents are likely to occur due to the high concentration of U.S. military bases in Okinawa, including the Kadena Air Base with two 3,700-meter runways. On the same day in Nago City, mayoral candidate Gakiya Munehiro in his campaigning promised to demand that the U.S. forces investigate the accident and make an apology. He expressed determination to block the plan to construct a new U.S. base in the city as a substitute for the U.S. Futenma base. Major F-15 accidents in Okinawa (After the 1972 reversion to Japan of the administrative rights over Okinawa) June 1975 mid-air collision over the ocean April 1977 crash in the ocean near Aguni Island December 1977 crash in the ocean, one died June 1981 crash at 220 km northeast of main island May 1987 crash at 112 km east of main island August 2002 crash at 100 km south of main island October 2004 collision and damage of two F-15 from Alaska October 2005 fuel leak east of main island November 2005 damage in tail sections 160 km northwest of main island - Akahata, January 18, 2006 |
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