Summary
The United States has deployed two specialized military aircraft from Kadena Air Base in Japan to monitor activities near North Korea and Russia. These aircraft are part of efforts to maintain security and gather intelligence in the region.
Key Facts
- The U.S. used two aircraft: the RC-135W Rivet Joint and the WC-135R Constant Phoenix.
- The Kadena Air Base is on Okinawa Island, Japan, and is a key U.S. military site.
- The Constant Phoenix can detect radioactive clouds and flew near Japan's Hokkaido Island.
- Hokkaido is close to Russian territory, just 27 miles from Sakhalin Island.
- The Rivet Joint collects data by detecting and identifying signals and flew south of the Korean border.
- President Trump ordered the restart of U.S. nuclear testing, which prompted Russia to assess its nuclear test preparations.
- U.S. forces in Japan include about 60,000 personnel to protect American and allied interests.
- The U.S. Air Force says the missions support intelligence and security efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
