MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- This year’s Pacific Partners Air Festival kicks off at 8 a.m. on Sept. 10 with the opening ceremony and aerial review at 8:30 a.m.
The aerial review includes three Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 multirole fighters flying in formation with two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, two JASDF T-4s and one JASDF E-2C Hawkeye. An aerial firefighting demonstration with one JASDF CH-47J Chinook immediately follows at 9:15 a.m.
Main Stage Performances throughout the day continue as follows:
9:30 to 9:50 a.m. — JASDF F-2 Scramble Demonstration
9:50 to 10:10 a.m. — Simulated Ground Strafe and Vulcan Air Defense System Demonstration with three F-2s
10:10 to 10:50 a.m. — JASDF F-15J Eagle Maneuver Demonstration
10:50 to 11:10 a.m. — Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team Performance
12:40 to 1:20 p.m. — JASDF Blue Impulse Demonstration
1:40 to 1:50 p.m. — JASDF UH-60J Rescue Demonstration
2:40 to 3 p.m. — JASDF F-2 Maneuver Demonstration
Ground-based Performances Schedule:
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Open JASDF F-2 Cockpit and Walk on F-2 wing
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Various Aircraft Engines and Aircrew Flight Equipment
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — JASDF T-4 Landing Gear Retraction Demonstration
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Fighter Aircraft Armament Demonstration
9 to 9:30 a.m. — Fighter Aircraft Ammunition Loading and Unloading Demonstration
10:20 to 11 a.m. — Photo Session with JASDF
11 to 11:15 a.m. — Misawa Air Base Taiko (Japanese Drum) Club Concert
11 to 11:30 a.m. — Fighter Aircraft Ammunition Loading and Unloading Demonstration
11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — JASDF Northern Air Defense Force Band concert featuring “MOMO”
Noon to 12:40 p.m. — Photo Session with JASDF
1 to 1:30 p.m. — Fighter Aircraft Ammunition Loading and Unloading Demonstration
1:50 to 2:40 p.m. — PACAF Band Concert
2 to 2:30 p.m. — Fighter Aircraft Ammunition Loading and Unloading Demonstration
A family day for all service members, their families and personnel with base access kicks off at noon on Sept. 9 with practice performances and static displays prior to the public event the next day. This event allows personnel involved in the main event an opportunity to partake in the festivities of the weekend.
Events such as open houses and air shows provide an opportunity for citizens to gain an understanding of Team Misawa’s combined, bilateral missions and military capabilities as well as the skills and professionalism of its people. This event is meant to highlight the base mission, military life and inspire patriotism in both U.S. and Japan people.
This year’s U.S. static displays include:
F-35B Lightning II (www.jsf.mil)
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three variants of the F-35 will replace legacy fighters for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and 10 other countries around the world.
B-1B Lancer (http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104500/b-1b-lancer/)
The B-1B's blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry wings and turbofan afterburning engines, combine to provide long range, maneuverability and high speed while enhancing survivability.
EA-18G Growler (http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=33BFA969-0482-42CF-9E1F-F80A1B32BEE9)
The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II, and will fly the airborne electronic attack mission. The EA-18G combines the capability of the F/A 18F with the latest AEA avionics suite evolved from the Improved Capability III system. The EA-18G’s vast array of sensors and weapons provides the warfighter with a lethal and survivable weapon system to counter current and emerging threats.
P-8A Poseidon (http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1300&ct=1)
The P-8A Poseidon is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities.
MH-60R Seahawk (http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.displayPlatform&key=230E736F-D36A-4FB8-BDD3-372CD723D22C)
The MH-60R Seahawk missions are Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Surveillance, Communications Relay, Combat Search and Rescue, Naval Gunfire Support and logistics support.
F-16 Fighting Falcon (http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon/)
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.
KC-135 Stratotanker (http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104524/kc-135-stratotanker/)
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
C-172 Skyhawk
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft.
Beechcraft Bonanza
The Beechcraft Bonanza is an American general aviation aircraft introduced in 1947 by Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. The six-seater, single-engined aircraft is still being produced by Beechcraft and has been in continuous production longer than any other airplane in history. More than 17,000 Bonanzas of all variants have been built, produced in both distinctive V-tail and conventional tail configurations.
HC-130H Hercules (https://www.uscg.mil/hq/CG9/lrs/features.asp)
The HC-130J fleet carries out traditional missions including search and rescue, cargo and personnel transport, law enforcement and international ice patrol.
C-12 Huron (http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=300&ct=1)
A multi-mission aircraft that provides high-priority transportation for personnel and cargo, range clearance, courier flights, medical evacuation, and humanitarian rescue or assistance, multi-engine pilot training and testing assets.
For Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft participating in this year's air show, visit http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/tokusetsu.html.
Stay tuned for more information and stay up to date on the latest air show news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teammisawa.