Japan intends to dispatch three Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) planes and about 150 personnel to Kuwait in December for the transport of supplies to U.S., British forces in Iraq, according to a daily report.
The Japanese government will soon sign a status of forces agreement with Kuwait to define the rights and responsibilities of ASDF members for the mission, Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Sunday, quoting government sources.
The planned dispatch of the three C-130 transport aircraft to Kuwait is aimed at allowing supplies to be transported from the country to occupation forces through Baghdad and Basra airports, the daily added.
Supplies to be airlifted will probably include food, clothing and other daily items. Weapons and ammunition may also be transported, the newspaper said.
Those to be transported to Baghdad airport are expected to be given to U.S. forces, while those to Basra may be given to British forces and GSDF personnel operating in the region.
To improve the safety of its airlifts from Kuwait to Iraq, the ASDF plans to equip the C-130 planes with additional devices, it said. They have already been fitted with equipment to fend off ground-to-air missiles.
Meanwhile, the government also hopes to send several ASDF personnel to Qatar as military attaches, it said. They will serve as liaisons and coordination officers between the ASDF and the U.S. forces in Qatar. (Albawaba.com)
