An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Aug. 8, 2019

RQ-4 Global Hawk Arrives at Yokota Air Base

By Yasuo Osakabe 374th Airlift Wing public affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Pacific Air Forces deployed a squadron of RQ-4 Global Hawks, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 5, 2019.

The rotational deployment of the Global Hawk to Japan is necessary to ensure Airmen can continuously operate the platform during months in which inclement weather in Guam has the potential to hinder theater-wide operations through the summer to fall season.

The Global Hawk serves as a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted and unarmed, aerial reconnaissance system. The aircraft is designed to provide persistent, day and night, high-resolution, all-weather imagery of large geographic areas with an array of integrated sensors and cameras.

“The presence of these U.S. military personnel and assets further contributes to regional stability and security,” said Col. Cameron Pringle, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander. “We are grateful to our host base and host nation partners who enable us to provide this capability for military and civilian decision-makers.”

In addition to supporting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) requirements, the Global Hawk can be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. One of its most notable missions was in support of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Flying continuously for 21 days, using long-range and infrared cameras, the Global Hawk provided commanders with more than 3,000 images of the disaster zone, including images of survivors in need of help, and the status of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Plant, which had been damaged by the tsunami and led to concerns of a radiation leak that would flood the already devastated region.

Since 2011, Pacific Air Forces has deployed the Global Hawk to Misawa Air Base, Japan, in 2014, 2015, and 2018 and Yokota in 2017.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
341,090
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on International Women's Day
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
March 8, 2023 - WASHINGTON -- Today, on International Women's Day, the Department of Defense recognizes the tremendous, enduring contributions that women Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, and civilian employees have made in...

Special Ops Community Transforming to Meet Current, Future Challenges
In this file photo, Airmen assigned to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command brief Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, during a visit to Hurlburt Field, Fla. in July. Maier oversees special operations, irregular warfare, counterterrorism and information operations policy issues, among other responsibilities.
March 8, 2023 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE -- The Special Operations community is making progress in its transformation to focus more on the challenges of China and Russia while maintaining the expertise to mount counterterrorism operations...

U.S. Army Japan Hosts Inaugural Women, Peace and Security Symposium
Maj. Gen. JB Vowell, commander of U.S. Army Japan, provides remarks during the command's inaugural Women, Peace and Security symposium inside the Camp Zama Community Club, Japan, March 6, 2023. The three-day event had speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions to promote a gendered perspective and women’s equal involvement in decision-making.
March 8, 2023 - CAMP ZAMA, Japan -- U.S. Army Japan held its first-ever Women, Peace and Security symposium here this week to highlight the need for women to play a more significant role in defense sectors.The three-day event, which ends...

Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink’s Travel to Indonesia and Malaysia
March 8, 2023 - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia -- Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 7-11. During his travel,...

Yokota Airman Recognized for Contributions to US-Japan Alliance
Maj. Lance Mazzella, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron director of operations, accepts the Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association Award from Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, JAAGA president, during a ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 3, 2023. JAAGA promotes friendship and mutual understanding between JASDF and U.S. Air Force members by annually honoring distinguished performers from both nations. Recipients are members who have exceptionally contributed to the mutual understanding and friendship between U.S. Forces in Japan and the JASDF.
March 7, 2023 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association (JAAGA) recognized Maj. Lance Mazzella, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron director of operations, during the 2022 JAAGA Award ceremony held at the...