MISAWA CITY, Japan -- Airmen with the 35th Fighter Wing and members of the Misawa Air Base Jets basketball team participated in an exhibition game versus the Aomori Wat’s at the Misawa City International Sports Center Aug. 18 as part of the city’s continuing 60th Anniversary celebration.
Through four sweaty periods of play, Misawa’s team of 11 from various backgrounds and career fields came together showcasing American esprit de corps and sportsmanship.
The Wat’s proved more difficult a competitor, but the Jets kept up the pace into halftime with the Wat’s leading 46-35. Although the final score resulted in a Wat’s win, 104-75, the team’s coach, Staff Sgt. Marcus Hollins, the 35th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy support NCO in charge, said his team knew the game was more about building relations with the Japanese community and he thinks they achieved that feat.
“I’m proud of my guys, they really gave it their all out there and showed our Japanese neighbors American grit, patience and character,” Hollins said.
(U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Genesis Tejada)