T-Birds, Blue Impulse to take Misawa skies Oct. 18 Published Aug. 26, 2009 By 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Each year, Misawa Air Base opens its gates for visitors to freely see and feel the rush of air power up close. On Oct. 18, the U.S. Air Force's premier demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, along with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse are scheduled to headline perhaps the most exciting Misawa Air Base Air Festival to date. In addition to the Thunderbirds and Blue Impulse, there will also be demonstrations from various other U.S. and Japanese aerial teams, which includes Misawa's own F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstration team. Misawa's SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) team will also entertain audiences by parachuting from varying heights. Joining the list of performances will be the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, known as the Greatlanders. Various vendors from throughout Japan, along with numerous organizations, will also be on hand, selling a wide range of foods and souvenirs, giving guests a piece of both Japanese and American culture. With such an exciting list of scheduled attractions, an estimated 250,000 visitors are expected to flood Misawa Air Base. For more information, go to http://www.misawa.af.mil/library/airfest2009.asp