Two cultures, one community: U.S. Embassy representative visits Misawa

Two cultures, one community: U.S. Embassy representative visits Misawa on American Day

By Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez , 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published June 04, 2018

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Margot Carrington, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, and Misawa City, 35th Fighter Wing and Japan Air-Self Defense Force leadership gather for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II during American Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2018. This was Carrington’s first visit to Misawa, and while here, she visited various American Day booths, viewed demonstrations and took part in tours of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mitsubishi F-2 and F-35A Lightning II. Providing American civilian leadership in Japan the opportunity to see the unique capabilities of the 35th Fighter Wing and our host nation partners strengthens the overall support provided to the Indo-Pacific region. (Courtesy Photo)

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U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, right, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, helps Margot Carrington, left, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, into an F-16 Fighting Falcon during American Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2018. This was Carrington’s first visit to Misawa, and while here, she visited various American Day booths, viewed demonstrations and took part in tours of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mitsubishi F-2 and F-35A Lightning II. Providing American civilian leadership in Japan the opportunity to see the unique capabilities of the 35th Fighter Wing strengthens the overall support the United States provides to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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Margot Carrington, left, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, congratulates U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sarah Lopez, right, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron emergency services flight chief, for earning the 35th Fighter Wing NCO of the year award in 2017, during American Day in Misawa City, June 1, 2018. Carrington shared a special congratulatory message from the United States Ambassador to Japan, William Hagerty, and spent time visiting with Airmen and their families participating in American Day festivities while interacting with their Japanese counterparts. Community engagement remains a top priority for the State Department and events like these further strengthen the U.S.-Japan security alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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Margot Carrington, left, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, and Rachel Brunette Chen, right, the Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Sapporo, listen as a Japan Air Self-Defense Force captain talks about the Mitsubishi F-2 during American Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, 2018. This was Carrington’s first visit to Misawa, and while here, she visited various American Day booths, viewed demonstrations and took part in tours of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mitsubishi F-2 and F-35A Lightning II. Misawa is home to both the United States’ 35th Fighter Wing and Japan’s 3rd Air Wing. Carrington interacted with service members from both nations, thanking them for their commitment to each other and Misawa’s strong bilateral relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

A representative from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo visited Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 3, for the 30th Annual American Day. Margot Carrington, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, said, “I am very fortunate that my first visit to Misawa, and indeed my first visit to Aomori prefecture, could be on such a very special day.”

American Day is an annual event, which allows Misawa Air Base members to share American culture with roughly 100,000 Japanese nationals. The event included on base static displays, food booths, a 35th Security Forces Squadron K-9 demonstration, a haunted house and live performances from bands such as Echosmith and solo artists such as B.o.B.

Carrington welcomed the chance to be part of the Misawa tradition of close relations between the base and the local community and noted that events like American Day bring our two cultures together.

“I understand American Day is organized by an all-volunteer force from the base, who pull out all the stops to make this such an enjoyable and memorable event for young and old alike,” Carrington said. “I am deeply inspired by the goodwill among the people of the United States and Japan I see here today, and I have no doubt Misawa will remain a city of friendship between the United States and Japan well into the future.”