Japanese government backs proposal
to halt flight demonstrations at Atsugi
By Jennifer H. Svan and Naoko Sekioka, Stars and Stripes
The Japanese government is supporting a lawmaker’s proposal to suspend flight
demonstrations at Atsugi Naval Air Facility.
Navy fighter-jet demonstrations have showcased the Atsugi air show since 1963, but two
months ago, the Navy announced it would ground its planes for this year’s air show,
set for July 28 and 29.
Commander Naval Forces Japan officials said the decision to suspend aerial
demonstrations was made because of the opposition from the Japanese people living near the
air facility.
Social Democratic Party member Mizuho Fukushima, Japan’s cabinet council, decided
last week to ask the United States to make the quiet skies a permanent feature of the air
show.
The Navy has yet to receive any formal requests from the Japanese government, said
Cmdr. James Graybeal, CNFJ spokesman.
He added, "Our decision to not schedule demonstration flights pertains to this
year."
The biggest complaint from local residents is the noise of the demonstrations,
particularly since the base is normally quiet on weekends, said Atsugi spokesman Yoshihiro
Shimizu.
Yamato city, adjacent to the air facility, has a Web site devoted to "noise issues
of Atsugi Base."
While the demonstration flights may be enjoyable for some … "those acrobatic
flights on top of rehearsals and everyday flights are only more painful for the
neighboring citizens," the site says. "They not only give torturous noise, but
also the fear of crashes."
The air show demonstrations typically last about one hour, said Geralyn Noah, Atsugi
public affairs officer. She stressed the air display is very tame compared to typical
military air shows in the States.
Yamato city repeatedly has requested that demonstration flights be stopped during the
open house, according to the city’s Web site: "As a consequence, some
improvements were made, such as fewer rehearsal days and some modification in flight
patterns. Nevertheless, demonstration flights are still maintained, thus, we are
continuing our effort to request complete cessation of demonstration flights …"
While residents’ complaints were factored into the decision to not schedule
demonstration flights, Noah said, there were other issues to consider.
Carrier Air Wing FIVE pilots recently returned from spring deployment and didn’t
have enough time to prepare for the show.
"We didn’t think it would be fair for the pilots to take time away from their
families to practice for the show," she said.
Demonstration flights by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japanese
professional acrobatic pilots also have been canceled.
Atsugi puts on the show "to highlight the skill of the pilots," Noah said,
and for the entertainment and enjoyment of the public. Last year, about 400,000 people
attended the two-day show.
"People like taking pictures; they like to feel them (planes) zoom by," Noah
said. "It’s really thrilling."
Back to June stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from May, 2001
Stories from April, 2001
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February,2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home |
