Japan's government began coordinating its position Sunday on a plan to use an Air Self-Defense Force jumbo jet, designed for exclusive government use, to transport Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to Iraq to help rebuild the country, a government source said.
The idea of using the ASDF B-747 jumbo jet, which can carry 350 passengers, came up as private Japanese airlines are reluctant to fly to Iraq and other SDF transport planes cannot fly there without refueling, the source said.
If the plan is realized, it would be the first time for SDF personnel to be sent abroad aboard a government plane.
The dispatch of GSDF personnel to Iraq is to be made in three stages.
The Defense Agency plans to transport heavy machinery to be used for constructing facilities at the camp by renting an An-124, the world's largest transport plane, from Russia.
The SDF's C-130 plane, which has a capacity of 90 passengers and a range of about 4,000 kilometers, is often used to transport SDF units. However, it would take the C-130 about several days to travel from Japan to the Middle East, inconveniencing the SDF personnel.
The idea of using the ASDF B-747 jumbo jet was considered because it can fly from Japan to Iraq in 10 hours.
Currently, there are two ASDF B-747 jumbo jets available for exclusive government use. To transport the 550-strong main unit, either both of the two planes would have to be used at once or one of the planes would make two trips.
Japan's SDF may be sent to Iraq on govt 747
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