A majority of the Japanese public favors the US military presence on the island, according to an annual US Embassy poll. Stars and Stripes reports that 80 percent of respondents said they favor or somewhat favor maintaining the security alliance with the US, marking the fourth consecutive year that opinion has increased. The poll also showed that a Japanese majority believe the US military presence in East Asia is important and that US bases in Japan are important.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.