Kadena Withstands Typhoon Bolaven

Kadena AB, Japan, escaped Typhoon Bolaven’s wrath with just a few minor damages, including some power outages and minor flooding, base spokesman Maj. Chris Anderson told the Daily Report. “Kadena weathered the storm fairly well,” said Anderson. He added, “However, our civil engineer recovery teams were out in full force cleaning up debris, and working to restore power to those affected.” The typhoon slammed Okinawa on Aug. 26. In preparation for the storm’s arrival, the 18th Wing relocated some of Kadena’s aircraft to other Pacific bases, while airmen secured others in typhoon-proof hangars on base. Anderson declined to detail the specific numbers or locations of aircraft movements. Thus, it’s not clear if the recently deployed F-22 Raptors were among the aircraft to relocate. Forecasters had predicted that Bolaven would be the strongest storm to hit the area in half a century, but the slow-moving typhoon didn’t live up to expectations, reported the BBC. Still, five fisherman plus several other civilians died due to Bolaven as of mid-day on Aug. 28 Seoul time as the storm hit South Korea, reported CBC News.