Japan to station advanced fighters on Okinawa

[dArKeR]

Japan will deploy several of its most advanced fighter aircraft to Okinawa in response to the increasing military threat from China, a newspaper said yesterday, while a Japanese official confirmed the plans.

The deployment of two dozen F-15J Eagle fighters to Japan's southernmost prefecture -- which at its nearest point is only 180km away from Taiwan -- will be completed by the end of 2009, the Japanese-language daily Sankei Shimbun reported yesterday. The presence of F-15Js on Okinawa would significantly increase Japanese military capabilities in the Taiwan Strait.

Currently, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Japan's air force, maintains 24 F-4EJ Phantom fighters in the 302nd Fighter Squadron, 83rd Air Wing at a base in Naha City, the prefectural capital. The base is located next to Naha International Airport.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/05/29/2003257037

[lenidog]

1. Now that is intresting seeing as Japan and China are having some

problems.

[steely]

2. So we see clearly where the lines are being drawn.

I wonder how this plays with the recently announced goal to cut back on bases here?

Thanks for the link, dArKeR.