U.S. to move 3 Global Hawk drones to Tokyo from Guam this summer

TOKYO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military will relocate three RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to Yokota Air Base in Tokyo starting this summer, Japanese media reported Friday.

The U.S. side said the move is intended to strengthen intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.

The relocation is also expected to bring some 150 personnel to the base, with existing facilities to be used and no new construction planned, Kyodo News reported.

Japan's Ministry of Defense called the relocation "unavoidable." While the aircraft generate relatively little noise, the ministry said it will continue urging the U.S. side to minimize the impact on nearby residents.

According to media reports, safety incidents, noise, and crimes involving U.S. military bases in Japan have long plagued nearby residents, seriously disrupting their daily lives and spawning a series of lawsuits. Enditem