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Four SDF Members Injured in Kadena Air Base Explosion

A safety probe is under way after the explosion struck a Japanese ordnance site during routine maintenance on the US-run base.

This image from May 15, 2017 picture shows a US Air Force F-15 fighter aircraft at Kadena air force base in Okinawa.
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A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron taxis into position for an aircraft capabilities demonstration on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 22, 2022.

Overview

  • On June 9, four SDF personnel were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the blast at the unexploded ordnance facility.
  • The explosion occurred while members were removing rust from suspected bombs to assess whether the munitions were live.
  • Public broadcaster NHK reported the blast may have taken place in a temporary storage area for unexploded munitions.
  • A defense ministry spokesperson said investigators have received early reports and have yet to confirm what triggered the explosion.
  • Kadena Air Base hosts over half of the 50,000 US troops in Japan and serves as a strategic hub for regional security.