US military Osprey aircraft lands at Miyako Airport

A US military Osprey aircraft landed at Miyako Airport on October 15, marking its first arrival at the facility. This movement precedes the 18th annual Keen Sword, a joint US-Japan integrated exercise scheduled to begin on October 19. The exercise aims to improve the responsiveness of the Self-Defense Forces and enhance coordination between US and Japanese forces.

In Miyako Island City, planned activities include equipment transport and communication training. Additionally, a US military KC-130 transport aircraft landed at Ishigaki Airport on the night of October 15, reportedly delivering vehicles identified as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

Okinawa Governor Genta Koja has indicated a policy to “tolerate” the deployment of Osprey aircraft within the prefecture, viewing a withdrawal as “not reasonable.” While the national government welcomes the deployment, local authorities in Miyako Island City have requested that aircraft avoid flying over densely populated areas and that US personnel remain restricted from going out during the training period.