All participants got together at Iruma base operation in the morning of 5 Mar., then we boarded C-1 cargoplane and it took off Iruma at 10:00 a.m.. Weather en route to Misawa was so clear that we could enjoy good experience flight. After landing on Misawa, we took rest and moved to JASDF officers' mess hall, and attended luncheon with Maj.Gen.Ogata, vice commander of Northern Air Defense Force (NADF), Maj. Gen.Maehara, commander of 3rd Air Wing (3AW), we took same meal for JASDF airmen as experience.
Aternoon, our representatives had courtesy visit to Lt.Gen. Irisawa, commander of NADF, and we attended lecture session lead by Gen.Ogata. Topics of lecture were Red Flag Alaska (multi-nation air defense exercise), G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, reorganization of 8th Flight Squadron (3AW), Japan and Russia Defense Interchange Program, a tug of war meet at Misawa AB. We could hear some inside stories by lecturer, they were so interesting.
After then we could luckily see F-4 last flight maneuver by 8th Flight Squadron. At Airborne Early Warning Group, we received explanation about E-2C aircraft, we observed F-2 demonstration scramble display at alert area and anti-aircraft firearms at 3rd Air Defense Squadron (3AW). We were able to understand on front-line situation of Northern Japan.
At 4:00 p.m. past, the representatives of our delegation took courtesy visit to Col. Stilwell, commander of 35th Combat Wing (35FW/CC).
We stayed at "Misawa Inn" (visiting officers' quarters), and we had experience of lodging like US airmen. At evening of 5 Mar., JAAGA had dinner party at USAF Officers Club, and we invited Col. Stilwell and key persons of 35FW, Lt.Gen. Irisawa, Maj.Gen. Hayasaka (commander, Northern Aircraft Control & Warning Wing) and JASDF's VIPs in Misawa. Party was carried out under very friendly atmosphere. Pencil sketch of F-100 fighter drawn by Hohashi JAAGA member was presented to Col. Stilwell in the party. After then members went to the downtown Misawa to deepen friendship with each other.
Next morning Col.Stilwell opened breakfast meeting for us at officers club, we could enjoy wonderful buffet meal. We observed officers club facility after breakfast, and we were impressed that facility is so fulfilling. Then we took bus tour around USAF facilities, there we could know U.S.Government considers well on supporting servicemen and their families living in overseas. We attended to briefing session at headquarters of 35FW from half past 10:00a.m., we could understand the importance of their mission and know their big consideration for neighbor citizen. At this briefing, Col. Stilwell stated "We are expecting JAAGA acts as bridge between United States Air Force in Japan and Air Self Defense Force". Then we moved to aircraft hunger, wing commander himself explained on F-16 fighter, weapons and munition. All members showed their interesting to F-16 fighter.
After taking lunch and rest, we checked in for flight to Iruma. We took off Misawa at 2:00p.m. and landed Iruma at half past 3:00p.m. while raining.
Visiting this time was carried out under warm hospitality and kind support by USAF and JASDF on Misawa AB., so we could observe special sites and equipment which were just opened for JAAGA members. All participants could promote better understanding Japan and U.S. units in Misawa and deepen friendship with USAF and JASDF airmen. We think we could achieve our purpose of visit. We would like to express our sincere appreciation on support by USAF and USAF from preparation stage to action stage. (reported by secretariat Minamoto)
