IWAKUNI, Japan, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- If North Korea ever attempted to move a nuclear weapon into Japan's Iwakuni waters, they would likely encounter a joint Japan-United States maritime patrol.
Stars and Stripes reported on Oct. 9 that in early 2005 the United States Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni became the first United States base in Japan to conclude an official agreement with Japanese agencies to coordinate safety and security procedures.
The signatories included the Japanese National Police, Japanese Coast Guard and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office.
The agreement has allowed the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and its Japanese opposites to better coordinate joint training and coordination during extensive bilateral training exercises.
Another result of the agreement is regular joint and bilateral patrols, when Navy and Marine Corps personnel work with the Japanese in carrying out patrols of the 10-square-mile restricted waters off the base.
United States Marine Provost Marshal Maj. Christopher Bushek said, "It's not training, it's real. We're actually checking real boats. We're one of the leaders in the Far East in terms of doing some of the training and exercises."
