JASDF closes out airlift support mission

[unhappycamper]

A Japanese C-1 from Miho Air Base makes a final stop at Yokota Air Base on Wednesday. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is halting Operation Freedom Lift, a six-year airlift mission put in place to help free up U.S. aircraft for the war on terror and other operations.


JASDF closes out airlift support mission
By Vince Little, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, November 2, 2007


YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Japan Air Self-Defense Force is closing out Operation Freedom Lift, a six-year effort aimed at hauling supplies and cargo to U.S. military personnel in Japan and Okinawa.

A Japanese C-1 aircraft and crew from Miho Air Base made a final stop at Yokota on Wednesday. It marked the program’s 381st mission.

Lt. Col. Scott Graham, director of operations for the 730th Air Mobility Squadron, said the JASDF C-1 and earlier C-130 flights helped free up U.S. assets for the war on terrorism and other endeavors.

“It allowed us to dedicate our aircraft to other missions,” he said Wednesday. “We greatly appreciate what they did for us.”

The weekly airlifts had been permitted under Japan’s Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, but that was set to expire Thursday.

Graham said losing Operation Freedom Lift will mean an increase in payloads on Air Force planes, primarily those at Yokota and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49959