Japan Press Weekly

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2014 September 17 - 23 [US FORCES]

Green Berets aboard Yokota air base aircraft conduct parachute drills

The Green Berets, a special combat force in the U.S. Army, in September conducted parachute landing drills near Mt. Fuji using aircraft attached to the U.S. Yokota Air Base in Tokyo.

Since 2012, the U.S. military has repeatedly carried out parachute training exercises at the Yokota base. Regarding the latest drills, a Yokota base official said that the drills’ aim is to improve coordination between the Air Force and Army. This indicates that training exercises may take place based on scenarios simulating actual battle conditions.

Takahashi Mieko, who heads a residents’ group calling for the removal of the Yokota base, said, “The functions of the Yokota base has drastically increased. U.S. troops coming from other sites are using the base for parachute training drills. MV-22 Ospreys attached to Marine units have come to engage in various drills.” She added, “It is unacceptable that the U.S. military is using the Yokota base as a base of operations for military training drills across Japan.”

Past related articles
> US Ospreys conduct 1st training exercises in Tokyo [September 1, 2014]
> Citizens protest against Osprey aircraft flying across Japan [July 16 and 20, 2014]
> US increasing training drills of cargo planes over Tokyo [May 29, 2014]