An RQ-4 Global Hawk, assigned to the 69th Reconnaissance Group, Detachment 1, at Andersen AFB, Guam, lands at Misawa AB, Japan, on June 1, 2018, for a temporary intra-theater routine deployment. Air Force photo by SSgt. Deana Heitzman.
The Air Force has moved RQ-4 Global Hawks to Japan to keep a close eye on the region as well as to avoid brewing storms.
The Northrop Grumman-built Global Hawks are shifting to Yokota AB, Japan, from Andersen AFB, Guam, through the fall to avoid potential damage during typhoon season, according to a Pacific Air Forces release.
PACAF moved its remotely piloted aircraft around the theater to Yokota in 2017 and to Misawa AB, Japan, in 2014, 2015, and 2018.
RQ-4s collect high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information over flights that can last longer than a day to support missions across US Indo-Pacific Command.