MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, right, along with Chief Master Sgt. Andy Kaiser, USFJ and 5th AF command chief, center, and Chief Master Sgt. Russell Hastings, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, watch an F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Certification show May 16. The demo team must be certified by a numbered air force or major command commander before being allowed to perform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)

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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, meets with members of the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team May 16. General Field paid a short visit to Misawa AB to meet with base leadership and certify the PACAF Demo Team. The F-16 certification show lasted about 30 minutes and consisted of a choreographed launch, a nine- to 14-minute aerial demonstration and a recovery highlighting the capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)

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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jon Crocker, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, left, performs an aircraft brakes functional checkout as Staff Sgt. Chad Miller, PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team crew chief, relays the information to the pilot May 10. One of the team's charters is to present a positive, professional image of the United States Air Force to the people of the Western Pacific by making personal contact with host nation people on and off the flightline while showing support for the host government through the U.S. presence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown/)

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PACAF demo team certified to perform

Published May 17, 2011
By Airman Basic James B. Bauer
35 Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A crew from the 14th Fighter Squadron was certified as the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team May 16.

Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, certified the crew. The crew includes one pilot, two narrators and a maintenance team composed of four crew chiefs and five specialists responsible for the aircraft's avionics systems and engines.

"It's the most fun roller coaster you've ever been on," said Capt. Chris Nations, PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team pilot. "We have a great team, and I look forward to working with them."

The demo program is designed to showcase the aerial maneuvering might of the Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon at a low-altitude, high-G environment under prescribed safety guidelines.

"PACAF's F-16 Demonstration Team provides an example of what the United States Air Force brings to the table," said General Field. "We get a chance to showcase our Air Force capabilities and display our professionalism, our core values and our ability to get the job done."