The US Air Force is moving a unit of MQ-9 Reaper drones to the Japanese island of Okinawa to bolster ISR missions

The US Air Force intends to strengthen reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in southwestern Japan. For this purpose, the service is sending MQ-9 Reaper drones to the island of Okinawa.

Here's What We Know

MQ-9 Reaper multi-purpose drones are being redeployed from Kyushu Island to Okinawa. The drones in question belong to the 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. The unit has eight UAVs that are stationed at Kanoya Base.

The 319th Squadron was authorised to conduct missions at Kanoya Base for one year. The move to Okinawa, where the Kadena base is located, is due to growing concerns in the East China Sea. This was recently announced by Japan's Defence Minister Minoru Kihara.

The Pentagon said the MQ-9 Reaper is conducting reconnaissance operations in close coordination with the Japanese defence establishment. The deployment of the UAVs at the Kadena base will provide easy and quick access to the area.

Source: Janes