Delayed due to the influence of the new Corona To change the personnel of the SDF dispatched to the Middle East June 6: 18:49

Regarding the fact that the personnel of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's patrol aircraft unit dispatched to the Middle East region can not be replaced due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the Ministry of Defense decided to dispatch replacement personnel this month, and next month it will be sent to the field. A member of the team will be returning to Japan for the first time in about half a year.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force's P3C patrol aircraft unit dispatched to the Middle East region has been assigned to a base in Djibouti, Africa, about 3 months after being replaced.

However, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the government of Djibouti strictly restricts entry from abroad, so it was no longer possible to dispatch the replacement personnel for the units that were dispatched in January.

In April, the Ministry of Defense replaced only the aircraft first because it needed to be maintained in Japan, and after proceeding with coordination with the Djibouti government, as a result of this month, the replacement personnel were sent to a local charter aircraft. Decided to be sent to.

As a measure to prevent the spread of infection, the replacement personnel will be inspected for viruses in Japan in advance, and will be kept waiting at the SDF facility for two weeks after entering Djibouti.

Approximately 60 members in the field will return to Japan next month for the first time in about half a year.

In addition to anti-piracy measures, the troops of the patrol aircraft dispatched are tasked with gathering information necessary for ensuring the safety of vessels related to Japan, and the Ministry of Defense continues to dispatch after taking infection prevention measures. I am.