September 15, 2009

The U.S. Forces in Japan on September 14 gave notice to local governments concerned via the Defense Ministry that Night Landing Practices with U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington-based aircraft will be carried out from September 24 to October 2 over Iwojima-Island in the Pacific Ocean.

In case of bad weather over the island, the practice site will be changed to the U.S. Naval Air Station Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture (9.29-10.3), the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture and/or the U.S. Air Force Misawa Base in Aomori Prefecture (10.1-01.3).

These practices will take place from 6 P.M. to 10 P.M. everyday.

Mayor Oki Satoru of Yamato City in Kanagawa Prefecture hosting the Atsugi air base on September 14 issued a statement demanding that the U.S. refrain from carrying out such drills over the densely populated area around the Atsugi base.

The mayor pointed out that at many public schools and districts around the base, athletic festivals and cultural events will take place during the scheduled days for the NLP.

Recalling that in May prior to the last NLP, U.S. formation flights with 2 or 3 aircraft flying a circular course over the base had seriously afflicted citizens with the extremely loud noise, he stressed that the U.S. must stop inflicting further harm.
- Akahata, September 15, 2009