USA Relocates RQ-4 Global Hawk Drone Squadron to Japan

The US Air Force has relocated three of its large RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drones to Yokota Air Base in Japan.

This was reported by the press office of the US Air Force’s 374th Wing, according to Task & Purpose.

Prior to this, the aircraft had been based on the island of Guam for over ten years.

The transfer of the aircraft is being carried out by the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 319th Operational Group, which had previously operated from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for 16 years. The redeployment began in late May, and the first drone arrived at its new location near Tokyo on May 27. Approximately 150 service members moved to Japan along with the drones.

Military officials cite challenging weather conditions at the former location as the main reason for the change in base location. Guam regularly suffers from powerful typhoons during the summer, and Typhoon Singlaku recently caused significant damage to the island. More favorable weather in Japan during the storm season will ensure the uninterrupted execution of missions.

The heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle RQ-4 Global Hawk has a wingspan of nearly 40 meters and weighs about 6.8 metric tons. The system is equipped with a suite of cameras and sensors for monitoring large areas at altitudes of up to 18,000 meters. The aircraft can remain airborne for over 30 hours while conducting aerial reconnaissance missions.

Yokota Air Base serves as the headquarters of the US 5th Air Force and is home to the 374th Air Wing.