The US and Japan reached agreement on consolidating Marine Corps airborne operations on the island of Okinawa. The deal calls for moving operations at Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma to another base on the island. The decision to move the base was made in 1996, but negotiations dragged on. The agreement reached on Oct. 26 comes at a time when the US is attempting to renegotiate the presence of its military on Japanese soil in light of Asian-Pacific security threats such as North Korea.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
