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U.S. Air Force 18th Wing to Continue 'Exceptional' Parachute Drops at Kadena

The wing frames Kadena as a fallback due to constraints at the Ie Jima auxiliary airfield.

Overview

  • The 18th Wing said it will keep conducting parachute-drop training at Kadena Air Base under an exceptional-use policy.
  • Ie Jima remains the Japan–U.S. designated site for drops, with its operations reported as reinstated on December 15.
  • Officials cited runway degradation at Ie Jima as well as weather, sea state, and other operational factors for occasional shifts to Kadena.
  • The wing emphasized that highly trained paratroopers conduct the training under disciplined safety procedures.
  • Local government and community pushback in Okinawa is expected, according to local reporting, and no specific schedules or frequencies were released.