Rust Prevention Facility at Former Aircraft Parking Lot Must Be Halted

It could lead to the strengthening of the base’s functions. The relocation, which would go against the policy to reduce the burden, should be halted.

The U.S. military is planning to construct Theater Corrosion Control Prep Hangar at the Kadena Air Base to prevent aircraft corrosion.

The hangar is currently located on the north side of the runway. The plan is to demolish the aging and cramped facility and build a new 30-meter-high facility that can easily accommodate large aircraft.

The proposed relocation site is located at a former aircraft parking lot known as the “Papa Loop,” only 150 meters from a residential area. It is located across Route 58 from the Kadena Town Hall.

The facility will be expanded more than four times, from approximately 3,000 square meters to 14,000 square meters. In addition to the facility for cleaning aircraft and processing rust, a warehouse for storing hazardous and toxic substances to prevent corrosion will also be built.

The town only learned about the project at the end of May. However, a budget has already been allocated; if approved by the U.S. Congress, construction will begin next October.

Industrial products containing the organofluoride compound, called PFAS, were used for aircraft cleaning and other applications in the past.

The town of Kaneda is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the plan due to concerns about the spillage of the toxic substances such as PFAS and the increased damage from aircraft noise, exhaust gas and other odors.

In the prefecture, high concentrations of PFAS have been detected in the groundwater near the U.S. military bases. This is still a major problem. It is only natural that the town strongly opposes the project.

Why does the U.S. military go through the trouble of moving closer to civilian areas? It cites the fact that aircraft must straddle the runway when they move at the current location. This is for the convenience of the military; there is no consideration for the residents of the surrounding area.

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Near the Papa Loop, there used to be a naval aircraft parking area where residents suffered from noise and bad odor. After more than 20 years, it was finally relocated five years ago to a location near the runway, away from the civilian areas.

Many residents must have been relieved to learn that they wouldn’t have to suffer any longer.

The Japanese government paid approximately 16.5 billion yen for the relocation of the naval aircraft parking lot. The source of the funding was taxpayers’ money.

The Papa Loop, on the other hand, was not used for decades, but has been in temporary use since 2019 in conjunction with another construction project.

We cannot afford to overlook the fact that new burdens are being created while we are trying to reduce burdens.

In order to protect the living environment of the residents, the Japanese government should demand that the U.S. military stop the project.

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Foreign aircraft have been flying frequently to Kadena Air Base since this May. Residents in Kadena and Chatan have been complaining about the noise.

The Japanese and U.S. governments have implemented agreements on aircraft noise that restrict flights by U.S. military aircraft late at night and early in the morning, but the operation is left to the discretion of the U.S. military, as if there were no promise.

This is the current state of Okinawa 50 years after its return to Japan.

Unlike the U.S. mainland, bases and residential areas are in close proximity within the prefecture. We cannot allow the relocation of the facility that will create new burdens.