Japan Press Weekly

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2011 September 28 - October 4 [SDF]

SDF to refuel US warplanes in the air during joint exercise

The Self-Defense Forces in October concluded the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. forces which enables the SDF to refuel U.S. warplanes in the air during their joint training exercise. This was made public by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura Osamu on October 3.

The move is based on the Japan-U.S. Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allowing the SDF and U.S. forces to share military equipment.

During Japan-U.S. joint military exercises, the supply of fuel was made by U.S. refueling aircraft to the Air SDF’s planes, not vice versa.

Aichi Prefectural Peace Committee Secretary Yano So pointed out that the Defense Ministry had deployed SDF refueling aircraft on the pretext that refueling in the air will allow SDF aircraft to operate with less takeoffs and landings, thus leading to a reduction in accidents and noise pollution. To refuel U.S. warplanes readied to attack other countries is totally incompatible with the DM’s former explanation, he said.