US deploys missile-tracking aircraft to Okinawa air base

The U.S. has deployed two missile-tracking Cobra Ball aircraft to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, amid rising tensions over potential Chinese military exercises near Taiwan. This marks a rare reinforcement of missile-tracking capabilities in the region. The second Cobra Ball arrived on December 5, following the first aircraft's deployment on November 25. Both planes are equipped to gather critical data on ballistic missile activity, enhancing U.S. monitoring of Chinese and North Korean missile launches. Kadena is the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan, located 370 miles away. The deployment comes as intelligence suggests a high likelihood of Chinese drills around Taiwan this weekend, following previous military activities in the area.