Latest news with #FCLP
Asahi Shimbun
26-05-2025
- General
- Asahi Shimbun
Landing practice of U.S. aircraft opened to public after 6 years
The U.S. military in Japan opened the training of its carrier-based aircraft to the public for the first time in six years on May 25 on Iwoto island in Tokyo's Ogasawara village. During the field carrier landing practice (FCLP), pilots perform repetitive landings on a land runway strip that simulates the deck of an aircraft carrier. The roars of stealth fighter jets such as the F-35 Lightning II echoed across the island. The moment the aircraft touched the runway—after descending at high speed—it increased power, took off and ascended again. A roar that pierced the air vibrated reporters' eardrums even through earplugs and resonated throughout their bodies. The moment it landed, smoke rose from the aircraft's tires and a burning odor filled the air. The media filmed the scene several dozen meters away from the runway. Multiple aircraft passed in front of reporters in succession at intervals of about a minute. A U.S. military official explained that the black stains on the reporters' arms and faces were 'spray' from the tires. The landing practice is conducted every May, before U.S. aircraft carriers deployed to U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture depart from the port. This year, the FCLP started May 19 and is scheduled to end on May 31. This was the first time the landing exercise has been open to the media in six years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the Japanese government decided to relocate the FCLP site to Mageshima, an uninhabited island near Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, at the request of the United States. Construction of a Self-Defense Forces base, including a runway, is under way on Mageshima island. Iwoto island, also known as Iwojima, was the site of a fierce battle near the end of the Pacific War. The island is 1,400 kilometers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the carrier-based aircraft unit is based. On Iwoto island, a joint Japan-U.S. memorial service was held in March to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and defense ministers from both nations attended the ceremony. In April, the emperor and empress also visited the island to mourn the war dead there. Currently, the remains of more than 10,000 people that cannot be accommodated remain buried under the runway and at other sites on the island.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Frontline US Aircraft Carrier Near China Prepares for Military Action
The USS George Washington, a United States aircraft carrier deployed in Japan, is preparing for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean to counter naval threats posed by China. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The George Washingtonreturned to its home port in Japan-Yokosuka naval base near the capital city of Tokyo-in November after undergoing maintenance in Virginia since 2017. The nuclear-powered warship was previously forward-deployed to Japan from 2008 to 2015. While the George Washington has remained in Japan since its return, the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers-USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz-to the western Pacific Ocean. The former was later sent to the Middle East, while the latter was tracked near the Indian Ocean. The forthcoming patrol of the George Washington comes as the Chinese navy-the world's largest by hull count-continues operations near Japan and Taiwan, which are a U.S. ally and partner, by deploying its aircraft carrier and a task group led by an amphibious warship. Both the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Defense Ministry announced that U.S. naval aviators assigned to the George Washington were scheduled to conduct field carrier landing practice (FCLP) on Iwo To-also known as Iwo Jima-from Monday through the end of this month. During this required training for aircraft carrier flight operations, pilots perform repetitive "touch and go" landings at the airfield to simulate landing on an aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy said. "[FCLP] is an indispensable training program for pilots of carrier-based aircraft to land on the runway of a land-based airfield as if it were the deck of an aircraft carrier in order to obtain a landing qualification when the USS George Washington departed," Tokyo added. The Japan-based U.S. aircraft carrier is equipped with various types of aircraft, including F-35C, F/A-18E and F/A-18F fighter jets. These aircraft are stationed on land at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan when not deployed aboard the George Washington. Iwo To is a Japanese island located 750 miles south of Tokyo, where a bloody World War II battle took place from February 19 to March 26, 1945. Almost 7,000 U.S. Marines were killed on the island, while the defending Japanese forces saw more than 18,000 casualties. The U.S. Navy has been conducting FCLP on Iwo To since 1989. While the island has no local population-allowing for both day and night flight operations-the Navy has said it is not a suitable permanent training site because of its remote location and lack of divert airfields. In the event that FCLP cannot be conducted on the Pacific island, four sites on Japan's main island of Honshu have been designated as backup locations for the training: Misawa Air Base, Yokota Air Base, Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. The U.S. Navy said: "The Navy is aware of noise concerns of the Japanese people and strives to minimize the impact of its training on local citizens while balancing our obligation to maintain operational readiness for the defense of Japan and to meet our agreements under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security." The Japanese Defense Ministry said: "[FCLP] is of great significance for the defense of Japan and for strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the United States in the region." It remains unclear when the George Washington will depart from Yokosuka naval base for its western Pacific patrol. As of Tuesday, it was still at its home port, according to a local government website that tracks visits by U.S. nuclear-powered naval vessels to Yokosuka. Related Articles US and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Red LinesPhotos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near ChinaNew Boss Named for World's Biggest Construction ProjectChina's Next-Level AI Could Overtake US: New Report 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Frontline US Aircraft Carrier Near China Prepares for Military Action
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The USS George Washington, a United States aircraft carrier deployed in Japan, is preparing for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean to counter naval threats posed by China. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The George Washington returned to its home port in Japan—Yokosuka naval base near the capital city of Tokyo—in November after undergoing maintenance in Virginia since 2017. The nuclear-powered warship was previously forward-deployed to Japan from 2008 to 2015. While the George Washington has remained in Japan since its return, the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz—to the western Pacific Ocean. The former was later sent to the Middle East, while the latter was tracked near the Indian Ocean. The forthcoming patrol of the George Washington comes as the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count—continues operations near Japan and Taiwan, which are a U.S. ally and partner, by deploying its aircraft carrier and a task group led by an amphibious warship. What To Know Both the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Defense Ministry announced that U.S. naval aviators assigned to the George Washington were scheduled to conduct field carrier landing practice (FCLP) on Iwo To—also known as Iwo Jima—from Monday through the end of this month. The USS George Washington is preparing for a summer deployment, its first at-sea mission since returning to Yokosuka. The aircraft assigned to the carrier will conduct Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) at Iwo To between May 19-31. At the conclusion of the drills, the… — Ken Moriyasu (@kenmoriyasu) May 17, 2025 During this required training for aircraft carrier flight operations, pilots perform repetitive "touch and go" landings at the airfield to simulate landing on an aircraft carrier, the U.S. Navy said. "[FCLP] is an indispensable training program for pilots of carrier-based aircraft to land on the runway of a land-based airfield as if it were the deck of an aircraft carrier in order to obtain a landing qualification when the USS George Washington departed," Tokyo added. The Japan-based U.S. aircraft carrier is equipped with various types of aircraft, including F-35C, F/A-18E and F/A-18F fighter jets. These aircraft are stationed on land at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan when not deployed aboard the George Washington. Iwo To is a Japanese island located 750 miles south of Tokyo, where a bloody World War II battle took place from February 19 to March 26, 1945. Almost 7,000 U.S. Marines were killed on the island, while the defending Japanese forces saw more than 18,000 casualties. The U.S. Navy has been conducting FCLP on Iwo To since 1989. While the island has no local population—allowing for both day and night flight operations—the Navy has said it is not a suitable permanent training site because of its remote location and lack of divert airfields. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet taking off during field carrier landing practice on Iwo To on May 9, 2024. A United States Navy F/A-18E fighter jet taking off during field carrier landing practice on Iwo To on May 9, 2024. Staff Sgt. Devin J. Andrews/U.S. Marine Corps In the event that FCLP cannot be conducted on the Pacific island, four sites on Japan's main island of Honshu have been designated as backup locations for the training: Misawa Air Base, Yokota Air Base, Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. What People Are Saying The U.S. Navy said: "The Navy is aware of noise concerns of the Japanese people and strives to minimize the impact of its training on local citizens while balancing our obligation to maintain operational readiness for the defense of Japan and to meet our agreements under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security." The Japanese Defense Ministry said: "[FCLP] is of great significance for the defense of Japan and for strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the United States in the region." What Happens Next The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington arriving at Yokosuka naval base in Japan on November 22, 2024. The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington arriving at Yokosuka naval base in Japan on November 22, 2024. Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Quinton A. Lee/U.S. Navy It remains unclear when the George Washington will depart from Yokosuka naval base for its western Pacific patrol. As of Tuesday, it was still at its home port, according to a local government website that tracks visits by U.S. nuclear-powered naval vessels to Yokosuka.
