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unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 07:21 AM Jun 2014

The US Military’s 2005 Naval Port Plan: Futenma Replacement

http://watchingamerica.com/News/240891/the-us-militarys-2005-naval-port-plan-futenma-replacement/

The US Military’s 2005 Naval Port Plan: Futenma Replacement
Okinawa Times, Japan
Translated By Courtney Coppernoll
16 June 2014
Edited by Brent Landon

In 2005, U.S. military forces stationed in Japan held restructuring talks to discuss a potential replacement facility for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Just prior to making their interim report, military leaders drafted construction plans for a new base. In that plan, they stressed the necessity of establishing a naval port that could make use of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft and high speed vessels (HSV). These plans were made public when the Okinawa Times disclosed an internal document from the U.S. military on June 15.

Last year, the Okinawa Defense Bureau presented to the prefecture an application for creating a landfill in Nago, Henoko. The application indicated that this landfill was intended to create a ramp by which hovercraft would be able to enter and exit the area. It became glaringly obvious that, just as the American side had originally conceived, plans were proceeding for improved naval port functionality and integrated facilities.

The internal document obtained by this newspaper showed that leaders of U.S. military forces stationed in Japan had addressed their recommendations to U.S. Military Deputy Commander [Major General Timothy] Larsen. “With regards to Okinawa,” it stated, “we should unify the northern sections of the U.S. Marine Corps.” This document was drawn up on Aug. 1, 2005, approximately three months before Japan and the U.S. jointly released a facility relocation interim report in which they agreed to an “L-shaped plan” for the Camp Schwab marine base.

According to the same document, the U.S. military was requesting the installation of a “LCAC and HSV capable ramp at Camp Schwab” for naval port functionality. In writing its landfill application, the Okinawa Defense Bureau clearly noted in its “statement of purpose” that it would include a ramp for the purpose of embarking and debarking amphibious vessels. They were supporting the American side's plan.

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The Futenma Air Base is smack dab in the middle of a residential area:


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