WORLD> Asia-Pacific
![]() |
Japan starts withdrawing air force from Iraqi mission
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-15 20:46 TOKYO -- Japan on Monday began pulling its Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) transport unit out of Kuwait as the four-year-and-nine-month Iraqi airlift mission of the ASDF ended last week, the defense ministry said.
On November 28, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada announced the withdrawal of the ASDF following the decision made by Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Cabinet ministers concerned at a meeting of the national security council earlier in the day. The ASDF began airlifting activities in Iraq in March 2004 and continued its mission in Iraq after the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops went back to Japan in 2006. Deploying around 200 personnel, the ASDF has operated mainly from an airbase in Kuwait, using three C-130 transport planes. The ASDF transport unit was responsible for airlifting troops and materials for the US-led multinational forces as well as for the United Nations to three airports in Iraq, including the country's capital, Baghdad. |