Rainy air fest still draws crowd

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Rain did not stop nearly 70,000 spectators from visiting Misawa Air Base Sept. 7 for the air festival that displayed Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force aircraft.

Through the sea of umbrellas were displays of the F-2, F-4, T-4, F-16C Fighting Falcon, F-15C Eagle, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130 Hercules, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F/A-18 Hornet, UH-60 Blackhawk, SH-60 Seahawk, UC-12 Huron, UH-1N Huey and the P-3C Orion.

"My son and I were able to get in the Navy Seventh fleet helicopter and take pictures," said Mr. Brian Roberts.

His 6-year-old son, Keith, echoed his father's same sentiments. "I liked sitting inside the helicopter," he said.

"He liked pretending to fly and I told him after he grows up and finishes school, he can fly just like the pilots," said Mr. Roberts.

The displays were not the only thing visitors came to see. A mixture of food and souvenir stands lined the flightline as well.

"I came for the food," said Ms. Jennifer Voss. "My husband and son are waiting in the rain to see the aircraft but I wanted the food."

This year's air festival also commemorated two events of significance to the Misawa community. 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of Misawa City, and the community and the JASDF members also paid tribute and farewell to their retiring F-4.