US military moves ships, aircraft as another strong storm approaches Okinawa

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — U.S. military installations on Okinawa moved ships and aircraft, secured facilities and prepared beaches and equipment as Typhoon Saudel approached the island with destructive winds.

The Navy moved ships and aircraft assigned to Okinawa ahead of the storm, Fleet Activities Okinawa spokeswoman Kristen Wong said by email Tuesday.

Installation leaders were also securing shore facilities and preparing to support families on base, she added.

Marine Corps installations were also securing their facilities and equipment, preparations that were “already well underway” Monday, Marine Corps Installations Pacific spokesman Wesley Hayes said by email.

At Kadena Air Base, the 18th Wing has taken measures to protect personnel, aircraft, equipment and facilities while maintaining mission readiness, according to an unsigned email from the wing.

“The safety of our personnel, families, and Okinawa communities remains our top priority,” the message said. “We encourage everyone to monitor official weather updates, follow guidance from local authorities, and stay vigilant.”

Army personnel at Torii Station began preparing Torii Beach over the weekend, said spokeswoman Natalie Stanley of U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa.

“Our Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) team worked diligently to prepare the beach for the incoming weather, while successfully ensuring our beach visitors still had a safe and fun weekend,” she wrote in an email.

Officials at Camps Courtney and McTureous made Facebook posts Tuesday urging residents not to put out any items and to secure trampolines and garbage cans.

All U.S. installations on Okinawa entered Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 1 at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, meaning destructive winds of at least 58 mph are expected within 12 hours.

Saudel was approximately 205 miles east-southeast of Kadena late Tuesday morning and moving west-northwest at 14 mph, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

The Category-2 equivalent storm carried sustained winds of 105 mph and gusts up to 130 mph.

Saudel is forecast to weaken slightly before passing approximately 77 miles northeast of Kadena around 2 a.m. Wednesday, with sustained winds near 100 mph and gusts reaching 120 mph.

Although the storm’s center is forecast to remain northeast of Okinawa, its widening wind field is expected to envelop the island.

“Including typhoon number 20, Gaenari, this would be the sixth tropical system to affect the Okinawa-Amami area this year,” a Japan Meteorological Agency spokesman said by phone Tuesday.

Amami Oshima is a small island about 110 miles northeast of Okinawa.

An average 7.7 typhoons approach the Okinawa-Amami area each year, with five typically approaching by the end of August, the spokesman said.

“This year’s number is not particularly high,” he added.

Some Japanese government officials must speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

See Stars and Stripes’ Pacific Storm Tracker for regular updates on Saudel.