US Forces Japan officials say that news articles claiming that Yokota AB, Japan, will give up control of some airspace to aid Japan’s growing commercial aviation industry are premature, reports Stars and Stripes. US and Japanese are in negotiation over a range of transformation issues, ceding back additional airspace is just one factor. A USFK spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes that Yokota had adjusted its airspace five times since 1972 to accommodate increased civilian activity.
Small satellites meant to improve the way the U.S. measures Earth’s magnetic field—an option to expand the military’s position, navigation, and timing enterprise—launched March 30 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.