Published: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 08:09:41 +0900



It is official, PATRIOT missile units are going to be deployed to Okinawa:

Patriot interceptor missiles will be deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japanese and U.S. Forces Japan officials confirmed Thursday.

Japanese defense official Iwao Kitahara went to Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine's office to announce the move, which had been expected. But after making the announcement, the Defense Facilities Administration Agency director caught between Japanese reporters with cameras inside the office and angry, loudspeaker-wielding peace activists outside struggled to exit the building.

The announcement ends weeks of speculation about which Japanese base would house the system. The 24 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles, which local residents and leaders strongly oppose, will be relocated from Fort Bliss, Texas, said Master Sgt. Terence Peck, USFJ spokesman.

Hopefully the PATRIOT guys won't send soldiers like these guys, this guy, this guy, etc. to Japan with them. I don't think the Okinawans will be willing to take too much crap from them.

Read More...