The top commander of U.S. military forces stationed in Okinawa on Thursday ruled out the possibility of the Marine Corps leaving a contentious air base before a replacement facility is operational.
"The answer is no," Lt. Gen. John Wissler told an event in Washington when asked whether the marines could suspend the use of Futenma air station and move to an existing base elsewhere before the replacement airstrip is built.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government has called for the Futenma base, which is in Ginowan, to suspend operations within five years because of the dangers it poses to the densely populated area.