August 14, 2015
Professors, students, and alumni of Okinawa International University on August 13 held a rally to commemorate the 2004 U.S. military helicopter crash on its campus.
At around 2 pm on August 13, 2004, a U.S. transport helicopter deployed to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City lost control during its flight training exercise. The military aircraft crashed into a building on the premises of the university adjoining the base and burst into flames. At that time, the campus was deserted due to summer vacation and there were no casualties.
In the gathering held near the accident site, university president Oshiro Tamotsu mentioned the latest incident where a U.S. military helicopter crashed in the sea off Okinawa on August 12. He said, “A U.S. military aircraft crash again occurred just as we have always feared.”
The president also noted that MV-22 Osprey aircraft stationed at the Futenma base have been found to be prone to accidents. He said that Ospreys flying around over Okinawa with their excessive noise and low-frequency waves will pose a constant risk of deadly crashes.
Oshiro argued that though successive central governments have promised to ease military base burdens imposed on Okinawans, nothing has changed. He said that Okinawa’s distrust of Tokyo is growing as the Abe government is pushing forward with a plan to construct a new U.S. base in Nago’s Henoko district in the prefecture despite fierce local opposition.
The university president demanded the immediate closure of the Futenma air base which is located in the middle of densely populated areas in Ginowan City and is said to be the world’s most dangerous base for nearby civilians.
A student of the university reported on the details of the 2004 crash. She said, “People always fear that U.S. military aircraft may crash into a residential area at any time. This is the reality of Okinawa.”
Past related article:
> US military helicopter crash at university marks 10th anniv. [August 14, 2014]
At around 2 pm on August 13, 2004, a U.S. transport helicopter deployed to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City lost control during its flight training exercise. The military aircraft crashed into a building on the premises of the university adjoining the base and burst into flames. At that time, the campus was deserted due to summer vacation and there were no casualties.
In the gathering held near the accident site, university president Oshiro Tamotsu mentioned the latest incident where a U.S. military helicopter crashed in the sea off Okinawa on August 12. He said, “A U.S. military aircraft crash again occurred just as we have always feared.”
The president also noted that MV-22 Osprey aircraft stationed at the Futenma base have been found to be prone to accidents. He said that Ospreys flying around over Okinawa with their excessive noise and low-frequency waves will pose a constant risk of deadly crashes.
Oshiro argued that though successive central governments have promised to ease military base burdens imposed on Okinawans, nothing has changed. He said that Okinawa’s distrust of Tokyo is growing as the Abe government is pushing forward with a plan to construct a new U.S. base in Nago’s Henoko district in the prefecture despite fierce local opposition.
The university president demanded the immediate closure of the Futenma air base which is located in the middle of densely populated areas in Ginowan City and is said to be the world’s most dangerous base for nearby civilians.
A student of the university reported on the details of the 2004 crash. She said, “People always fear that U.S. military aircraft may crash into a residential area at any time. This is the reality of Okinawa.”
Past related article:
> US military helicopter crash at university marks 10th anniv. [August 14, 2014]
