Bomb by Bomb, Japan Sheds Military Restraints
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam — To take part in its annual exercises with the United States Air Force here last month, Japan practiced dropping 500-pound live bombs on Farallon de Medinilla, a tiny island in the western Pacific’s turquoise waters more than 150 miles north of here.
A mechanic in Guam checked this F-2 after a live-bombing run, an unusual drill for the Japanese military.
The pilots described dropping a live bomb for the first time — shouting “shack!” to signal a direct hit — and seeing the fireball from aloft.
“The level of tension was just different,” said Capt. Tetsuya Nagata, 35, stepping down from his cockpit onto the sunbaked tarmac.
The exercise would have been unremarkable for almost any other military, but it was highly significant for Japan, a country still restrained by a Constitution that renounces war and allows forces only for its defense. Dropping live bombs on land had long been considered too offensive, so much so that Japan does not have a single live-bombing range.
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Good. It’s high time Japan, get off the “peacenik” stick and join the badasses of the world. No doubt Japan still scares the shit out of China and NK. Works for me.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:34 amWhen Japan fully industrializes its military, their weapons will be half as big, twice as powerful, and able to morph into 30-foot tall ass-kicking robots. Yep, that will scare the shit out of the Chinese and the Norks.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:50 am
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:53 amWe know from history that these little guys can be ruthless. It would be nice to have some ruthlessness on our side for a freakin change.
The NY Times article went out of its way to try and link the Japan of the past with the Japan of the now. Its almost absurb to the laughable that Japan is the kind of threat they were in 1930s. Japan is an ally of the west and a huge supporter of western values, freedom, and politics. It’s nothing but a huge success that Japan rearms not as and enemy but ally of the side of the “good guys”.
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:54 amDan,
It also looks like we have a decent ally out there as well, which can’t be said of France, Germany, Spain, et cetera…
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:54 amYep. As soon as Japan is completely done with it’s peacnik restrictions, they could become a dominate power again. Only this time, they would be an ally.
Germany could do the same thing. WWII is over. The lesson is don’t repeat the mistakes of your ancestors. Now let’s get to the business of destoying our enemies: NK, China, Putin, Jihadists and liberal, weanie-sucking defeatocrats.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:01 amI wouldn’t put Putin in the enemies column. One, he’s about as much of an enemy at the moment as France. Two, we would not want to make an enemy of him.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:58 amPUtin is an old KGB hard-head looking to revive that old Stalinist autocracy and world power that was the USSR. He’s no friend.
I studied USSR doctrine for many years. In a conventional battle against the US, the Soviets would lose their asses off.
Take a closer look at what Putin is doing in Russia and also study the Russian mob…who really has the power in Russia…Putin, according to Russians I’ve spoken to is the godfather of the Russian mob. He’s also a fan of Stalin.
I wouldn’t turn my back on him…Nor would I trust him. But be advised, the old Cold War is comming back…thanks to Jr Stalin…Mr Putin.
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:17 amAMEN DAN, NO QUESTION PUTIN THE DICKHEAD IS TRYING TO TAKE US DOWN. HISTORY WILL SHOW THAT CHINA AND RUSSIA ARE THE ONES BEHIND ALL THESE CONFLICTS. THEY ARE USING THESE SUN BAKED DUMBASSES TO DRAIN AND WEAKEN THE U.S..IF WE ONLY WOULD’VE LISTEN TO PATTON AND MACARTHUR, WE WOULDN’T BE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. NOW WE HAVE A BIGGER MESS THAN IF WE HAD A WAR BACK THEN.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:31 amDomo Regato. I like the Japanese. I think it’s high-time they re-join the military ranks of the world.
July 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 amDan(The Infidel), I refuse to be a “member” of the NYT so I can never connect with NYT links. So, I didn’t read the rest of the story. Atomic bombs will do wonders for behavior modification. Take two and call me in the morning. Once upon a time we were best buds with Russia. Russia is experiencing a swarm from their former -stans not unlike Eurabia is being swarmed and we’re being swarmed, all from the south. What a coincidence. If push comes to shove Russia knows from which direction it’s bread gets buttered.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:54 amDan (infidel) is right about Putin. Putin and the Saudi Royal Family should not be trusted. It IS great to see the Japaneese stepping it up. They are a proud people and a valuable ally for sure.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:08 pmOh, I wonder what my grandpa would say if he was alive to read this story
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 pmThanks gents. I see I’m not the only one who pays attention to what’s going on in the world…especially Russia and China.
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm