US Moves Global Hawks to Japan, Enhancing Regional Security

An RQ-4 Global Hawk sits on the flightline at Yokota Air Base in Japan in May 2023.

The US Air Force is relocating its Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to Yokota Air Base in eastern Japan.

The first of three RQ-4 Global Hawks arrived at Yokota Air Base in late May, with transfer dates for the other two aircraft yet to be confirmed.

The relocation aims to take advantage of the historically more operationally favourable weather in the Kanto Region during typhoon season, maximising the ability to support alliance obligations and other theatre-wide operations.

This move forms part of broader US efforts to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support for Japan in the face of growing Chinese military activity in the region.

The relocation is likely to complement the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fleet, which operates three Global Hawks based at the Misawa Air Base in north-eastern Japan.

The 150 personnel being transferred from Guam to the Yokota Air Base will support the RQ-4 Global Hawk operations, including maintenance and ground communications sections.

The relocation is expected to enhance regional security and support US-allied operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The US Air Force will continue to operate and maintain the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which plays a crucial role in intelligence gathering and surveillance in the region.