Navy planes will conduct more night landing practices at Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan, from Tuesday through Jan. 23 to prepare for the USS Kitty Hawk’s possible deployment to South Asia as part of tsunami relief efforts.
The normal 10-day practice period required of pilots that land on aircraft carriers has been compressed to six days at both Atsugi and Iwo Jima, meaning more planes in the air between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Jets will be sent to Iwo Jima for landing practice, while Atsugi will receive quieter propeller aircraft, said Navy spokesman Cmdr. John Wallach.
“We still want to be as quiet as possible at Atsugi,” Wallach said.
He could not specify the exact number of added planes at Atsugi.
Poor weather at Iwo Jima would add night landing practices at Atsugi, Misawa Air Base, Yokota Air Base and Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station.
Meanwhile, the Kitty Hawk awaits word on whether it will be needed for tsunami victims’ aid.
“It’s something that is definitely in the realm of possibility,” Wallach said.
