U.S. military aircraft will make a refueling stop at a civilian airport in Okinawa on their way to and from a joint U.S.-Philippine war exercise planned in the Philippines this month, prefectural officials said Tuesday.
The officials said they have been notified by the U.S. forces that four CH-46 helicopters and one KC-130 refueling plane belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa will stop at Shimojijima airport Friday and March 11.
The plane will supply each helicopter with fuel on the ground because the airport will not be supplying fuel, the officials said.
The U.S. aircraft are scheduled to participate in the Balikatan 2004 war exercises to be held Feb. 23 to March 7.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government continues to ask that the U.S. military not use civilian airports except in emergencies. The officials said they have asked the U.S. to consider alternative measures, including using amphibious ships and transport ships.