Pacific base relocation

GAO again warns DOD to better plan move of Marines in Pacific

The U.S. military has still not fully planned or accurately calculated the cost of repositioning Marine Corps forces in the Pacific, despite warnings from Congress, according to a report by federal auditors published this week.

21:55 June 12, 2013

Japan asks Okinawa to approve Marine offshore runways

The Japan central government requested Okinawa’s permission Friday to build offshore U.S. military runways for the controversial relocation of the Marine Corps’ Futenma air station, according to the Kyodo news service.

15:54 March 22, 2013

Moving Okinawa Marines could take 13 more years, top commander says

After numerous delays already, the long-planned drawdown of Marines on Okinawa could take another 13 years to complete, according to the head of U.S. Pacific Command.

21:33 April 21, 2013

Marine base construction brings headaches to Iwakuni residents

Face lifts are painful and potentially hazardous — just ask residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, where the U.S. military’s Pacific realignment is in full swing.
02:27 August 9, 2012
Lawmakers told failure to realign US Pacific forces would pose strategic risks

The United States faces serious strategic risks if it does not push ahead with plans to shift military forces in the Pacific, experts told House lawmakers Wednesday.
03:40 August 2, 2012
US to beef up Marine presence on Okinawa before drawdown

The United States plans to add thousands of Marines to bases on Okinawa, swelling the ranks to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War, even as Washington works to reduce the American military presence on the island.
00:44 June 14, 2012
Senate committee again blocks funding for Marines' move off Okinawa

Despite a new deal recently struck by the U.S. and Japan, the Senate is poised to block any funding for the realignment of Marines in Japan and the Pacific for the second year in a row as it attempts to force the military into offering up better planning and cost estimates, according to the office of Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.
02:52 May 29, 2012
Realignment would shift 9,000 Marines across Pacific

After months of political wrangling, the U.S. and Japan on Friday unveiled a new accord on the layout of forces in the Pacific that aims to cut by half the controversial Marine Corps presence on Okinawa and redeploy about 9,000 Marines across the region.
15:42 April 27, 2012
On Okinawa, Webb says DOD missing deadlines for study on Marines realignment
US-Japan plan reportedly would spread Marines across Pacific
Influential U.S. senator to visit Okinawa, discuss realignment plans
Congress: No money for Pacific troop moves until study is complete
Guam not ready for Okinawa's Marines, officials say
Japan PM discusses options for US troops during Okinawa visit
US, Japan agree on new plan to move Okinawa Marines to Guam
Futenma relocation plan presents risk to Okinawa environment, governor's panel says
Futenma project preliminary work goes on
Okinawa governor accepts delivery of Futenma report, pledges to fight plan
Okinawan protesters prevent handover of environmental report on Futenma move
Plans for Japan, Guam could follow joint-basing model, McCain says
Congress wants military to study moving Futenma operations to Kadena
Congress looks to freeze funding for Pacific realignment
Tokyo to move forward with plans to relocate Marines, defense minister tells Okinawans
Group to protest shift of U.S. military exercise from Okinawa to Guam
Marines' movement to Guam would overwhelm island's dentists, DOD IG finds
Guam buildup could cost $23.9 billion over next decade, GAO says
Angry Okinawa leaders question Japan prime minister about Futenma
U.S., Japan moving forward, but no hard deadline for Futenma
Official: U.S., Japan will delay Futenma relocation plan
Top U.S., Japan officials to discuss Futenma plans as opposition in Congress grows
Senate panel blocks funding for major military projects in Pacific
Ospreys will replace Sea Knights at Futenma, Marine Corps says
Okinawa decries reported plans to locate Ospreys at Futenma

Read the Futenma replacement study report

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Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Depression 04W (Leepi), # 2

Leepi moving rapidly north, should give Okinawa, Kanto glancing blows.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Depression 04W, # 1

Okinawa can expect a wet, windy Wednesday evening/Thursday morning.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical cyclone formation alert: TCCOR 3 set for Okinawa

Still much uncertainty but Kadena weather sees CPA at 3 p.m. Wednesday, possible destructive winds 3-5 p.m.
Pacific Sportsblog

Things learned, observed in USFJ-AFL Week 9.0

After some early-season doldrums, South Division closes regular season with two compelling showdowns.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical cyclone formation alert: Japan bound; question’s when

Okinawa, Japan main islands can expect windy visitor later this week; timeline, strength still in question.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical disturbance near Philippines

New disturbance might become tropical depression in next day or so; Okinawa could feel some effects.