US deploys Reaper drones to Okinawa to boost Pacific surveillance

The U.S. military deployed a fleet of MQ-9A Reaper drones to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, as part of a broader effort to enhance its surveillance capabilities in the Pacific. This deployment intends to improve the U.S.' ability to monitor critical areas near Japan and China.

The drones, designed for long-range surveillance and reconnaissance missions, have a wingspan of 66 feet and a length of 36 feet. They can fly for up to 27 hours at a time, making them ideal for monitoring critical areas near Japan and China.

The deployment comes amid increased military activity in the region. A Chinese Y-9 surveillance aircraft recently entered Japanese airspace near the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture. The flight prompted a response from Japan's Air Self-Defense Force.

The incident marked the first confirmed entry by a Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace. Japan's vice foreign minister summoned China's ambassador to discuss the matter.

The incident is part of a larger trend of increased military presence in the East China Sea. Japanese officials reported a rise in the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels, naval ships and submarines in disputed areas, leading Japan to bolster its defenses and strengthen international alliances.

"Operating from Japan provides VMU-3 with realistic domain awareness training that will increase proficiency to help provide critical support to Marines, the Joint Force, and our Japanese Allies in support of the defense of Japan," 1st Lt. Jude Hydrick , a spokesperson for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, said.

The Reaper drones will conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities in the Nansei region, a chain of islands stretching from Kyushu to Taiwan. The U.S. deployed fewer than six drones for a temporary one-year mission. The response is a measured approach to boosting its surveillance capabilities in the region.

Kadena Air Base is a critical hub for U.S. air power projection in the region, with a long-standing military presence. The base hosts several Air Force and Navy drones, including eight Air Force Reapers and two Navy MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drones, which will withdraw in October.

Additional military assets , including F-15EX fighter jets, are also planned for deployment to the base in the near future.

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