Cannon Cockers will field the ground-based Tomahawk cruise missile

Based on a news report by Kyodo News, the U.S. Marines are planning to establish a new artillery battalion within the 11th Marine Regiment, which is expected to be activated by 2030. The new unit will be based in California, making it less likely for the Pentagon to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan. This move comes in response to Japan’s decision to acquire “counterstrike capabilities” to address China’s growing military power and North Korea’s missile and nuclear threat.

180918-N-VG727-1129 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 18, 2018) A tomahawk cruise missile launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) for a live-fire exercise during Valiant Shield 2018. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enable real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Collins III)

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Japan to send aircraft to Sudan for excauation of its citizens there

The Japanese government has ordered the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to dispatch aircraft to Djibouti in preparation for the evacuation of approximately 60 Japanese nationals from Sudan. The move comes as military clashes in Sudan continue to intensify, leaving over 270 people dead and more than 2,600 others injured, according to the World Health Organization. The conflict has also made it difficult for people to evacuate, particularly from the airport in the capital, Khartoum.

20181208 Kawasaki C-2 takeoff Naha Air Show 2018-15
Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Japan seeks foreign help to develop railgun technology

Japan’s military is currently seeking foreign assistance to develop a railgun, a weapon that uses electromagnetic forces to launch projectiles at incredibly high speeds. The technology is still in its early stages of development, but Japan sees it as an important asset for its military to counteract the threat posed by neighboring countries.

Railgun usnavy 2008
U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Kadena Eagle Sunset Celebration

The Kadena Eagle Sunset Celebration was held on Apr. 14-15 to pay tribute to the legacy of the F-15C/D Eagle aircraft, which is being phased out of service after 44 years at the base. The event in Japan brought together F-15 pilots, intelligence professionals, maintainers, families, and others who directly contributed to the success of the aircraft over the years.

Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, returns from a flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2023. As part
of its modernization plan, the U.S. Air Force is returning Kadena’s aging fleet of F-15C/D Eagle aircraft back to the United
States. In coordination with Allies and partners, the 18th Wing will continue to project decisive airpower to ensure
regional stability and security while promoting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman
Sebastian Romawac)

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