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Title: Why Okinawa? The Futenma Air Station Dilemma Part 1 View count: 244 Rating: 5.0 (2 ratings) Description: In August 2004, a Marine Helicopter from the Futenma Air Station, Crashed into the Okinawa International University causing major damage. This incident was among many caused by this Training Facility that practices "Touch n Goes" with both Helicopters & large fueling tankers, that fly at roof top levels over the surrounding city of Ginowan Okinawa. This Marine Air Station has ignited a firestorm of protests from the continual flights that go on night and day. The noise level alone is disruptive to the people, but the dangers this base poses to the populated area surrounding the base makes this base, one of the most "Dangerous Military Bases" in the World. President Obama will visit Japan in November 2009 to discuss among other things this Marine Base that needs to be closed; the military wants to build another base to replace Futenma Air Station by land filling the Ocean in the Henoko Peninsula, that would not only cause damage to the Coral Reef, but also destroy the natural habit for the endangered Dugong, or Manatees as they are known around the world. The military states that this base is critical for the defense of Asia, however this is a TRAINING FACILITY ONLY... It should be moved from Okinawa and Japan altogether; the pilots practice their touch n goes on this sterile tropical environment, then fly combat missions in the deserts of Iraq & Afganistan. What part of this makes any sense at all. "Train in the environment that you fight in", would seem to make more sense. With 37 military bases on Okinawa, which is basically the size of New York City, Okinawa can hardly support the 50,000 military personnel and their dependents, yet the military cites the agreement between the former government of Japan and the former President of the United States, "Bush" as written in stone; but since when do agreements that are formed for special interests, and by governments that were cloaked in secrecy and greed, need to be adhered to? This base could and should be moved to the USA and could easily be housed at Miramar MCAS or Camp Pendleton, or yet a base closed by President Bush, could easily be re-opened, giving jobs to Americans which would help stimulate an already bleak economy. The economic situation in the world today is a result of mismanagement at all levels of the government, private banking systems and the greed of individuals on wall street. The corruption that has existed for the past 8 years in both the USA and Japan has brought about new change in both the USA and Japan and when bad self serving agreements are made, they not only need not be honored but should be totally ignored. President Obama it is time to not only make decisions that affect Americans, but also the Okinawan People that have been living under occupation status for over 60 years. This is the time to make wise decisions to not only close the Futenma Air station but to move this Training Facility to the United States where Americans will benefit from the economic stimulus provided by this base moving back to the USA; this will also give much needed relief to the Okinawan People as well. Tags: futenma air station, part 1, Author: RAvery41 |
