Persons in charge of the Kyushu Defense Bureau (left) explain the field survey for the temporary deployment of U.S. Air Force unmanned reconnaissance aircraft at the Kanoya City Hall on the 9th (photo by Hiroyuki Katano)
Regarding the temporary deployment plan of the US Air Force's unmanned reconnaissance aircraft MQ9 to the Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base (Kanoya City), the Ministry of Defense Kyushu Defense Bureau visited Kanoya City on the 9th and asked Mayor Shigeru Nakanishi about the deployment. It was announced that the US joint field survey will be conducted multiple times from the 21st at the earliest. In addition to on-base facilities, research off-base civilian accommodations, restaurants, etc. available to units when deployed. The Kanoya city side expressed understanding for accepting the survey, saying that it would be "useful as a basis for making decisions." [Photo] Unmanned aerial vehicle MQ9 deployed in the U.S. Air Force (from General Atomics pamphlet)
According to Director Tetsuya Ito of the Defense Bureau, about 20 to 30 people participated in the survey from the US military stationed in Japan, the Pacific Air Force, and the US mainland on the US side, and the Ministry of Defense, the Maritime Staff Office, and the Kyushu Defense Bureau on the Japanese side. About 10 people. The specific schedule and number of days required are said to be "under adjustment." Check the status of hangars, power, aviation fuel, communications, runways, and wild birds that may interfere with flight operations. Outside the base, we will also look at the capacity of accommodation facilities, restaurants that offer in-store dining and delivery services, dry cleaners, and medical institutions. As a countermeasure against the new coronavirus, survey participants will stay and eat and drink on the base during the period. Director General Ito emphasized the reason why Kanoya was considered as "based on the geographical positional relationship for promoting information gathering activities in the surrounding waters and the importance of strengthening cooperation between the US military and the Self-Defense Forces." "We would like to promptly conduct an investigation and reach a conclusion as soon as possible on whether or not the deployment is possible," he said. Mayor Nakanishi said, "If the burden of the bases increases, it will become a burden on the citizens. Even if we are overwhelmed by the geographical advantage, we are worried about the future. There is a problem that the existing SDF bases are forced to play multiple roles. ", and asked for a polite and easy-to-understand explanation.
In 2016, Kanoya City signed an agreement with the Defense Bureau regarding the KC130 aerial refueling tanker training for US forces in Japan, including the phrase "We are not considering expanding training or turning it into a US military base." Mayor Nakanishi and Chief Ito both expressed their understanding that the agreement was limited to tanker training. According to officials, around seven MQ9s are being considered for deployment. It is expected that more than 100 U.S. military personnel responsible for maintenance and operation of the aircraft will be stationed there for about a year from this spring at the earliest. Regarding the MQ9, the Defense Bureau reported, "The engine is about the same as a Cessna aircraft, and the noise is quiet." There have been no fatalities or injuries due to accidents, but there have been two cases of fuel leaks and runway problems overseas in 2020.