Japan Press Weekly

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2009 February 4 - 10 [US FORCES]

Kadena Town assembly calls for removal of U.S. F-22A fighters

Okinawa’s Kadena Town Assembly on February 5 unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate removal of 12 F-22A Raptor stealth fighter jets from the U.S. Kadena Air Force Base.

This is the second time that F-22As are being temporarily deployed to the Kadena base.

They arrived in January at Kadena from the U.S. Langley Air Force Base in Virginia to take part in training exercises. They are expected to be stationed at Kadena until the end of March.

At the Kadena base, F-22As are conducting joint exercises with 10 F-16 fighter jets from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Their sonic booms at 105 decibel and more are disturbing the daily lives of many people in heavily populated areas.

The resolution stated that although the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan is underway ostensibly to reduce the burden of U.S. bases on residents, the repeated deployment of the fighter jets “must be regarded as a process to further strengthen the functions of the U.S. Kadena Air Force Base and in preparation for their permanent deployment.” - Akahata, February 6, 2009