時隔34年，B-52降落橫田　B-52 in Yokota since 1989

【雙魚之論】英文拷到 G / D 找中文翻譯
On July 12, a B-52 Stratofortress landed at Yokota AFB, Japan, at 10:22 a.m. The last time a B-52 had landed at Yokota was in 1989 during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival.
Coincidentally, on the same day, North Korea (PRK) launched an ICBM that flew for a record-breaking 74 minutes. The Japanese Ministry of Defense estimated that this missile fell into the Sea of Japan, approximately 250 kilometers west of Oshidori Island in Hokkaido, Japan, in the outer waters of Japan's exclusive economic zone, at around 11:13 a.m.
The Ministry estimated the flight distance of this missile to be approximately 1,000 kilometers, with a maximum altitude exceeding 6,000 kilometers. It is believed to have been launched using a "lofted trajectory," which involves a higher launch angle than the typical trajectory and could potentially reach the entire US mainland.
Later that same day, Japan signed an agreement as a member of AP4 with NATO.
What a busy day it was!

美軍B-52因機體維護 罕見降落日本橫田基地    中央社 20230712

一架美國空軍B-52戰略轟炸機於日本時間今天上午10時20分左右降落日本東京橫田基地。駐日美軍表示，B-52在飛行途中發生維護上的問題，所以變更目的地來到橫田基地。

日本時事通信社報導，日本政府防衛省接獲來自美方的聯絡，表示這架B-52是「預防性降落」。

橫田基地表示，這架B-52已安全降落。該機隸屬美國中西部北達科他州邁諾特空軍基地（Minot AFB），研判有可能執行對北韓的警戒任務。

日本電視台（Nippon TV）報導，相關人士表示，這架B-52搭載8具發動機，其中右側機翼上的1具疑似在飛行途中發生問題。B-52飛抵位於日本的美軍基地相當罕見。

B-52 Stratofortress Lands at Yokota    Yokota Air Base 20230711

We can confirm that a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress diverted to Yokota AB, Japan, due to an in-flight maintenance issue. The aircraft landed at Yokota at 10:22 a.m. JST. It landed safely and without incident. The B-52 is assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota.

米空軍所属B-52ストラトフォートレスがインフライトメンテナンスのために横田基地へダイバートしました。基地には日本時間午前１０時２２分、安全に着陸しました。当該機は、ノースダコタ州マイノット空軍基地第５爆撃航空団の所属機です。

Air Force B-52 bomber makes rare landing in Tokyo due to maintenance issue    Dayton Dayly News 20230712

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A B-52 Stratofortress bomber diverted to the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo on Wednesday morning due to an in-flight maintenance issue.

The aircraft, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., arrived at Yokota at 10:22 a.m., according to an 11:06 a.m. post on the base’s website.

“It landed safely and without incident,” the post states.

The B-52 was in the Indo-Pacific supporting a training exercise, a Pacific Air Forces spokesman, Maj. Christopher Merian, told Stars and Stripes by email that afternoon. PACAF records show the last time a B-52 landed at Yokota was in 1989 during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, he added.

The Yokota incident occurred a week after B-52s arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Air Force’s ongoing bomber task force missions intended to project U.S. air power in the region. Those planes are assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., PACAF said in a news release Tuesday.

Four B-52s and 210 airmen deployed to Guam for a bomber task force mission in April. The Air Force didn’t immediately respond to emailed questions about how many bombers or airmen are involved in the latest mission.

“The Bomber Task Force is designed to enhance the high-end readiness of the bomber force while also advancing our interoperability with Allies and partners,” Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, the bomb squadron’s commander, said in the release. “Each mission flown further demonstrates our ability to provide agile combat ready forces and long-range strike capabilities to combatant commanders across the globe.”

The B-52s on Guam will train while integrating alongside allies and partners throughout the region, the release said.

“From those maintaining or flying these bombers to those behind the scenes enabling the mission, our ability to credibly assure Allies and deter adversaries requires every Airman out here,” Patterson said.