Kadena Air Base

RODN / DNA

Okinawa, JP

Last Updated
Jun 26, 03:55Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) installation. Civil access is not permitted.

Access Notes:

JASDF bases closed to civil traffic

Consult official AIP (Japan AIP ENR 5.2) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 24 min ago
03:55Z

🌙 Night
MVFR
Flight Rules
29°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 27°C
22 kt
210° G29 kt
10 SM
Visibility
1,400 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
998 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR RODN 260355Z AUTO 21022G29KT 10SM OVC014 29/27 A2948 RMK AO2 PK WND 21030/02 DZB0255E0259DZB0259E02 SLP983 P0000 T02870267 FZRANO $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 143 ft
OVC 1,400 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
1,400 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,543 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Kadena Air Base is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with overcast skies at 1,400 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (210°) at 22 knots with gusts to 29 knots. Runway 23 is favored with a 21-knot headwind and 8-knot crosswind component (gusting to 10 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 1400 feet AGL (overcast), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 29°C (84°F) with a dewpoint of 27°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Rain, Showers Rain, Mist. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Showers Rain between 03:00Z and 07:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
998 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
993 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (143 ft)
Pressure Alt
601 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,315 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +14.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF RODN 260000Z 2600/2706 19020G25KT 2400 RA BKN008 530009 QNH2935INS TEMPO 2603/2607 3200 SHRA BECMG 2605/2607 22015G25KT 8000 BR BKN008 530009 QNH2945INS BECMG 2609/2611 25012G22KT 9999 VCSH SCT008 BKN015 BKN025 QNH2953INS BECMG 2613/2614 25012G18KT 9999 NSW SCT008 BKN015 BKN025 QNH2958INS TX29/2603Z TN27/2616Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
04:19Z BASE
+0h
IFR 190° 20 kt
Visibility: 2.4 km
Ceiling: 800 ft
Rain
05:00Z BECMG
+1h
IFR 220° 15 kt
Visibility: 8 km
Ceiling: 800 ft
Mist
09:00Z BECMG
+5h
MVFR 250° 12 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 1,500 ft
13:00Z BECMG
+9h
MVFR 250° 12 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 1,500 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
ODN
05L
23R ✈️
05R
23L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05L/23R
Active: 23R
12,100 ft 300 ft ASP 51°
20.7 kt 7.5 kt
20° angle
✈️ 05R/23L
Active: 23L
12,100 ft 200 ft CON 51°
20.7 kt 7.5 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - RODN

8,145 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
73.1%
MVFR
19.8%
IFR
5.5%
LIFR
1.6%

Kadena Air Base typically experiences VFR conditions 73.1% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 7.1% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NE averaging 9.1 knots, with gusts recorded up to 42 knots. Temperature extremes range from -17°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, September, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NE (45°)
Average Speed: 9.1 kt
Maximum Recorded: 42 kt
Calm Winds: 6.6%
Direction Distribution:
E
16.5%
N
21.4%
S
8.3%
W
3%
NE
24.6%
NW
5.7%
SE
5.6%
SW
8.4%

Temperature Range

Average: 22.3°C
Range: -17°C to 33°C
-17°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.7%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

October September January

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05L/23R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt
Runway 05R/23L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 8,145 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Kadena Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: RODN
IATA Code: DNA
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 143 ft MSL

Location

City: Okinawa
Country: JP
Latitude: 26.351667°
Longitude: 127.769444°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-9

Runway Information

Runway 05L/23R
Length: 12,100 ft
Width: 300 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 05R/23L
Length: 12,100 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No

About Kadena Air Base

Kadena Air Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the JP AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Kadena Air Base is a major military airfield located on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Situated at 26.351667°N, 127.769444°E with an elevation of 143 feet MSL, the base serves as a critical strategic air operations hub for U.S. military forces in the Pacific region. The airport features two substantial parallel runways, each 12,100 feet long with different surface types (asphalt and concrete).

Flying Conditions

Okinawa's subtropical climate produces consistent weather patterns that can impact aviation operations. Pilots should anticipate potential tropical weather systems, particularly during the summer and early autumn months when typhoon activity is most frequent. The airport's coastal location and relatively low elevation can create unique wind and visibility conditions that require careful preflight planning.

Notable Features

The base's twin parallel runways (05L/23R and 05R/23L) provide operational flexibility for different aircraft types and wind conditions. Its geographic position on Okinawa offers a strategic location for military and potentially some civilian aviation operations in the western Pacific region. The substantial 12,100-foot runway lengths accommodate large military aircraft and provide significant operational margins.

Approach Considerations

Runway orientation at 05/23 suggests prevailing wind considerations for approach and departure planning. The dual parallel runways allow for simultaneous operations and provide alternatives during challenging weather conditions. Pilots should be prepared for potential military traffic and standard military airspace procedural requirements when operating at this location.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.