US to Deploy 3 Global Hawk Drones to Yokota Air Base This Summer

Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 29. The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that the US military will begin transferring three RQ-4 Global Hawk large unmanned surveillance aircraft to Yokota Air Base in Tokyo this summer to strengthen intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities. The Ministry of Defense explained the plan to local governments on the 28th. Amidst increasing Chinese military activity and rising security tensions in the Taiwan Strait and East Asia, the US military's deployment adjustments are receiving significant attention. According to NHK, the Ministry of Defense stated that the US side notified them of the transfer of three RQ-4s currently deployed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to Yokota Air Base starting this summer. The RQ-4 is the US military's primary high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned surveillance aircraft, measuring approximately 15 meters in length with a wingspan of about 40 meters. The US has used Guam as a base since 2014 and has previously deployed them temporarily to Misawa and Yokota bases. The US side explained that this move is based on the current regional security situation and aims to enhance surveillance capabilities. About 150 personnel will be added, but no new facilities will be built, utilizing existing equipment. The Ministry of Defense noted that the aircraft is relatively quiet and will continue to request the US military to minimize the impact on local residents.