PAC-3 missiles arrive at U.S. Kadena base

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PAC-3 missiles arrive at U.S. Kadena base

In defiance of strong criticism from local municipalities and residents, U.S. forces on October 11 delivered ballistic missile interceptor Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles to a U.S. base in Okinawa.

The missiles were transported in more than ten trailers from U.S. Tengan Pier in Uruma City to the Kadena Ammunition Storage Area in Kadena Town. Union members and members of citizen's groups protesting against the transportation of the missiles were removed by the police.

After the arrival of a cargo ship carrying the missiles on October 9, the mayors of Kadena Town, Okinawa City, and Chatan Town once again expressed their opposition to the PAC-3 deployment.

Uruma City Mayor Chinen Tsuneo also visited the Naha Defense Facilities Administration Office on October 10, requesting the military to cancel the unloading of the missiles. Faced with these protests, the U.S. forces suspended the delivery for two days.

A 67-year-old woman living near the pier said, "My parents were killed in the war, so I know how terrible and foolish war is. I cannot allow the missile deployment. I want to remove all missiles and military bases from Okinawa."
- Akahata, October 12, 2006