U.S. forces conduct large-scale exercises in Okinawa

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U.S. forces conduct large-scale exercises in Okinawa

The U.S. forces on February 13 carried out large-scale military exercises on the east coast of the northern part of Okinawa.

The Marines conducted parachute drop training exercises in waters near U.S. Camp Schwab in Nago City for the first time in eight years.

With CH46 and CH53 helicopters from the amphibious assault ship Essex buzzing about, landing drills were carried out.

On a Ginoza Village beach, 11 amphibious vehicles landed and crossed a public road to move in a convoy towards a U.S. training site. On the side of the road, U.S. soldiers were laying on their stomach with rifles pointing at the road.

Local residents were shocked, and voiced their anger, saying, "They regard Okinawa as their colony."

Residents in a number of boats protested the parachute drop training exercises.

Kinjo Yuji, representative of the Association for Life, a Nago City residents' group in opposition to the construction of a new U.S. base, said, "Along with these exercises, moves to strengthen the base functions such as the parachute drop training exercises and the deployment of F-22 fighter jets to the U.S. Kadena Air Base are taking place throughout Okinawa, as if they are casting ridicule on us. I want to make these outrageous acts of the U.S. forces known to as many people as possible and increase the movement to rebuff the strengthening of base functions."
- Akahata, February 14, 2007