US Global Hawk Rotational Deployment at Japan Yokota Base

Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance drone used by the US military

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The high-altitude unmanned reconnaissance aircraft Global Hawk (RQ-4) deployed in the Pacific Guam has been rotationally deployed to Yokota Air Base in Japan.

According to the Pacific Air Forces Command on the 3rd, "On the 30th of last month, the RQ-4 Global Hawk belonging to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam was rotationally deployed to Yokota Air Base in Japan," adding, "It will continuously support reconnaissance operations of the Indo-Pacific Command."

It was explained that the rotational deployment to Yokota Air Base was made because "in the past, typhoons and other severe weather in the Guam area affected readiness, but from now on, it can be operated stably without such impacts."

A U.S. military official emphasized, "By securing an alternative location to carry out missions even in bad weather, the Indo-Pacific Command and allied forces supporting Japan's defense can continue their reconnaissance missions," and added, "Yokota Air Base is the most ideal place for flight operations due to its pleasant weather."

The commander of the 374th Airlift Wing said, "Whether it is an invisible enemy like the novel coronavirus or a more visible threat like a typhoon, the Yokota team is prepared to continue missions at an airfield that our partners and allies can trust."

The Global Hawk is an intelligence satellite-level unmanned reconnaissance aircraft capable of identifying objects as small as 0.3 meters on the ground using special high-performance radar and infrared detection equipment from an altitude of 20 km. The Global Hawk rotationally deployed at Yokota Air Base is expected to undertake reconnaissance missions related to North Korea.