NAHA –
The US navy suspended actions by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from midday on October 7, an uncommon measure following the arrest of a US Marine in reference to a theft and homicide case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.
US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours After Robbery-Murder Case
US Forces Suspend Okinawa Operations After Marine Arrest
Unprecedented 48-Hour Halt Tests US Military Response to Okinawa Crime
US Military Takes Exceptional Step of Suspending All Okinawa Activities for 48 Hours
The US navy suspended actions by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from midday on October 7, an uncommon measure following the arrest of a US Marine in reference to a theft and homicide case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.
The suspension covers US navy operations throughout Okinawa, together with Kadena Air Base, considered the biggest US Air Force set up within the Far East, and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, the place the arrested service member is stationed.
Kadena, usually busy with the repeated takeoffs and landings of fighter jets and different navy plane, was unusually quiet after the suspension started. At Futenma, Osprey plane remained on the bottom, with coverings seen over the entrance sections of some plane.
Residents dwelling close to the bases additionally reported a noticeable discount in plane noise.
Hirokazu Teruya, head of the Sunabe neighborhood affiliation in Chatan, Okinawa Prefecture, stated the realm is often among the many noisiest within the city as a result of navy plane incessantly fly overhead in formations of 4 after departing Kadena.
“Four aircraft fly over from Kadena Air Base at a time, so I think this is probably the noisiest part of the town,” Teruya stated. “Today, I haven’t really noticed much noise.”
The blanket 48-hour suspension is taken into account an distinctive response by the US navy, reflecting the seriousness of one other felony case involving an American service member in Okinawa.
The incident has once more drawn consideration to the burden carried by Okinawa, the place a big focus of US navy amenities has lengthy made crimes and accidents involving service members a delicate political and social challenge.
The effectiveness of the suspension will now be judged by whether or not the US navy follows it with concrete measures able to stopping comparable incidents, putting renewed concentrate on how critically commanders intend to handle self-discipline and misconduct amongst personnel stationed in Okinawa.
Source: TBS