Planned relocations of US and Japanese forces on the island remain on track, says the top US commander there. Air Force Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of US Forces Japan, tells Stars & Stripes that Japan’s Air Defense headquarters are on schedule to move to Yokota Air Base by 2010. Wright also says the bilateral relationship is strengthening, citing Japan’s decision to continue host-nation financial support “at a relatively healthy level” and recent exercises that are fostering closer cooperation. The three-star, who also serves as commander of 5th Air Force, will retire next month after three years in this post. Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, who is currently Pacific Air Forces vice commander at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, will replace him.
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
