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Kadena RAPCON reverts to Japanese control

  • Published
  • By Maj. John Hutcheson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
NAHA, Japan --  On April 1, 1945 the United States military assumed control of Okinawa's airspace. On March, 30, 2010, control of the skies around this Pacific island officially returned to the Japanese government.

In an historic ceremony at the site of the new Naha Radar Approach Control Facility, the U.S. military officially turned over responsibility for Radar Approach Control around Okinawa to the Government of Japan. RAPCON provides air traffic control services to civilian and military aircraft operating in the Okinawa area for Naha airport, Kadena Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. John Toolan, deputy commander for U.S. Forces Japan, was the U.S. keynote speaker at the reversion ceremony. He cited the extensive cooperation between America and Japan as the foundation for the successful turnover.

"I believe it is completely fitting that we celebrate this on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan," said General Toolan. "It is a year in which we celebrate some remarkable progress in so many endeavors."

That sentiment was echoed by Mr. Koji Tomita, Deputy Director General, North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The transfer of the Kadena RAPCON is a landmark event that shows our two countries' ability to overcome difficult challenges both through dialogue and with mutual confidence," said Mr. Tomita. "The transfer negotiations with the U.S. could not have been successful without the sincere cooperation of the U.S. side and the strenuous efforts by the Japanese air controllers."

U.S. air traffic controllers have been responsible for air traffic control services over Okinawa since the U.S. military landed on Okinawa in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. In 1972, when Okinawa reverted to Japanese control, the U.S. and Japanese governments agreed that a single approach control facility should control aircraft in the vicinity of Kadena Air Base and Naha airport. At the time, it was agreed that the U.S. would provide this facility, located at Kadena.

In 2000, then-Secretary of Defense William Cohen agreed to transfer RAPCON responsibility to the Government of Japan when the GOJ could meet the U.S.' operational requirements. In December 2004, Kadena air traffic controllers began training Japanese controllers to take over RAPCON services, moving reversion one step closer to reality.

"It [the reversion] is significant because it returns the sovereign airspace control around Naha to the Government of Japan," said Mr. Gary Brown, chief controller for U.S. Arrival Control.

According to Mr Brown, Japanese air traffic controllers are now responsible for all air control within Okinawa airspace except that U.S. civilian controllers, working from Naha RAPCON, will continue to provide arrival services for U.S. military aircraft coming into Kadena and Futenma during designated times when U.S. forces are scheduled to use the airspace.

While the changes are significant in terms of who is controlling the airspace, the goal remains the same -- safe and efficient control of aircraft in and out of Okinawa.

"Those of us who flew into Okinawa under Kadena RAPCON today will depart without any loss in safety or efficiency under Naha control," added General Toolan.

In his remarks, General Toolan stressed that the turnover of RAPCON responsibility was symbolic of the deep trust and cooperation on many different fronts between the United States and Japanese governments.

"Nowhere in the world do two nations enjoy such cooperative spirit," said the general. "There is so much we have accomplished over 50 years and this is just one step in furthering and deepening our alliance."