Misawa Airmen exchange cultures with JASDF counterparts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Ten airmen from Misawa Air Base visited Chitose Air Base, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, during a bilateral exchange in November.

The airmen were treated to several tours and demonstrations to include a helicopter rescue demonstration and a tour of the new Chitose Air Traffic Control Tower.
However, their visit wasn't all work. The Misawa airmen had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture as well.

"During the visit we were given lessons in traditional Japanese calligraphy," said Master Sgt. Joseph Finney, 373rd Support Squadron quality assurance noncommissioned officer in charge. "We were also taken to a Japanese heritage site, where we made our own aboriginal Japanese instruments and watched traditional dances and rituals."

The Misawa Bilateral Exchange Program is a program in which airmen of various ranks visit different Japan Air Self-Defense Force bases and JASDF airmen visit Misawa. The exchanges typically last one week and are focused on work centers, facility tours and cultural exchanges.

"We typically hold four exchanges a year," said Finney. "This was the first exchange since the earthquake on March 11 and it was a great success."

For further information on the Misawa Bilateral Exchange Program, contact your unit's first sergeant.