Kadena Takes Stock of its Noise

The Japanese government has called on Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa to reduce the noise of its F-15 operations and ensure greater safety. According to the Associated Press news service, a minor F-15 accident on the base last week has led Defense Facilities Administration Agency Chief Iwao Kitahara to ask US officials to be more considerate. He wants the base to cut back on its late night and early morning operations. AP reports that a May 2 incident led to the collapse of the left wheel of an F-15 after the fighter made an emergency landing.