US-Japan Memorandum on Noise Abatement
March 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of the release of a memorandum by a joint US-Japan Committee on countermeasures to noise concerns surrounding Futenma Air Station.
The document, reproduced below, provides a good example of how US and Japanese authorities use Legalese to act in bad faith towards Ginowan City residents who, like Okinawans in general, were never consulted in the drafting of the document.
For further comment on the document, see our news page.
AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
26 March 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Joint Committee
SUBJECT: Aircraft Noise Abatement Countermeasures at Futenma Air Station
1. The United States and Japanese Chairmen of the Aircraft Noise Abatement Subcommittee have agreed to propose the following Aircraft Noise Abatement Countermeasures at Futenma Air Station to the Joint Committee.
2. To alleviate the concern over aircraft noise levels in the communities surrounding Futenma Air Station, the procedures outlined below are designed to minimize undesirable effects of aircraft noise without jeopardizing US Forces Japan missions. Therefore, recognizing that flight safety, accomplishment of mission, and noise abatement are paramount considerations, these procedures are established.
3. PROCEDURES
a. Airfield traffic pattern configuration, including entry and exit routes, should be designed to avoid over flight of densely populated areas, including schools and hospitals, as much as possible.
b. Aircraft in the immediate vicinity (defined as the Airport Traffic Area, within 5 statute miles) of Futenma Air Station should maintain a minimum altitude of 1000 ft Mean Sea Level except during flight on approved Visual Flights Rules (VFR) entry and exit routes, during takeoff and landing in the VFR traffic pattern, when directed by Air Traffic Control, or on instrument approaches.
c. Flight below local traffic pattern altitude should be avoided except when the mission so requires.
d. The number of aircraft conducting landing practice in the traffic pattern at Futenma Air Station should be held to the minimum consistent with training requirements.
e. Use of afterburner is limited to that required for safety of flight and operational necessity. Afterburner used for takeoff will be terminated as soon as practical.
f. Supersonic flight is prohibited during training, over land areas in the vicinity of Futenma Air Station and Okinawa Island.
g. Both flight and ground operations between the hours of 2200 and 0600 are limited to those considered necessary for US operational requirements. Night training flights are limited to the minimum required to fulfill assigned US Forces Japan missions and maintain air crew proficiency. Unit Commanders will exert every effort to complete night flying operations as early as practical.
h. Training flights are discouraged on Sundays and are limited to those considered necessary to fulfill mission requirements. Consideration should be given to minimize training flights on days of special significance to surrounding communities, such as, Memorial Day (Irei-no-hi).
i. Unless effective noise suppressers are used, and except for those cases when operational capability or readiness would be impaired, jet engines should not be tested between the hours of 1800 and 0800.
j. In operating engine runs, Engine Test Cells (silencers) will be used as much as possible.
k. No aircraft will conduct acrobatic flight associated with air fighting practice in the immediate vicinity (defined as the Airport Traffic Area, within 5 statute miles) of Futenma Air Station. However, the programmed demonstration of acrobatic flight will be excepted.
l. All assigned and transient flying personnel are fully indoctrinated on and will abide by stated requirements in order to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding communities.
4. RESPONSIBLE TITLES. Commanders will ensure that:
a. Aircraft under their control are operated to minimize aircraft noise to the extent practicable consistent with aircraft safety and operational necessity.
b. Traffic patterns and current operational noise countermeasures are continuously reviewed to reduce public annoyances as much as possible.
c. Pilots operating at Futenma Air Station understand the sensitivity to aircraft noise and are aware of the practical countermeasures that can minimize the problem.
d. Pilots adhere to the procedures outlined in paragraph 3.
5. PUBIC RELATIONS.
a. The Commanding Officer, Futenma Air Station, his staff, and tenant flying unit commanders will exercise close attention to noise problems and countermeasure control. In this regard, close liaison will be maintained with local governmental and civil authorities in order to promote public understanding and mutual cooperation.
b. The Commanding Officer, Futenma Air Station should make every effort to inform the Naha Defense Facilities Administration Bureau in advance of any communication regarding a local noise problem with local authorities or the public.