A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The annual event encourages physical fitness, bonding bilateral partners, and healthy competition by challenging its competitors in multiple events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)
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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 play softball.

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 play softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The annual event encourages physical fitness, unit bonding, and healthy competition by challenging its competitors in multiple events such as swimming, ultimate frisbee and softball. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)
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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee over his back in a game of ultimate frisbee.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee over his back in a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The event promoted the physical readiness and collaboration critical to advancing the 35th Fighter Wing’s mission of sustained combat capability and allied integration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)
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  • A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition.

    250519-F-NU460-1024

    A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The annual event encourages physical fitness, bonding bilateral partners, and healthy competition by challenging its competitors in multiple events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 play softball.

    250528-F-NU460-1234

    Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 play softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The annual event encourages physical fitness, unit bonding, and healthy competition by challenging its competitors in multiple events such as swimming, ultimate frisbee and softball. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee over his back in a game of ultimate frisbee.

    250519-F-VQ736-1090

    A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee over his back in a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The event promoted the physical readiness and collaboration critical to advancing the 35th Fighter Wing’s mission of sustained combat capability and allied integration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Compete and Connect: Sakura Olympics 2025

  • Published
  • By Airman Hannah Bench
  • 35th Fighter Wing

U.S. participants bow to Japanese participants before a game of softball as part of Sakura Olympics 2025.

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U.S. participants bow to Japanese participants before a game of softball as part of Sakura Olympics 2025 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The event built trust and strengthened cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s commitment to allied interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)
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SLIDESHOW | 17 images | 250528-F-VQ736-1003
U.S. participants bow to Japanese participants before a game of softball as part of Sakura Olympics 2025.

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U.S. participants bow to Japanese participants before a game of softball as part of Sakura Olympics 2025 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The event built trust and strengthened cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s commitment to allied interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 reach for a frisbee during a game of ultimate frisbee.

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 reach for a frisbee during a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The annual event promoted camaraderie among uniformed members stationed at Misawa Air Base. These efforts are crucial for sustaining operational readiness and mission effectiveness among Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 waits for the pitch in a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 waits for the pitch in a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. By competing together, U.S. and Japanese Air Self Defense Force personnel reinforce the unity and joint focus required for the 35th Fighter Wing to deter and respond to regional threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 prepares to bat the ball in a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 prepares to bat the ball in a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. These games contribute to the 35th Fighter Wing’s strategic focus on strengthening alliances and enhancing operational flexibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 hits a softball during a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 hits a softball during a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The annual event fosters resilience, morale and camaraderie, enhancing the partnership between U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The event promoted camaraderie and friendly competition among U.S. and Japanese personnel during the annual bilateral sports exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The event promoted camaraderie and friendly competition among U.S. and Japanese personnel during the annual bilateral sports exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 catches a softball during a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 catches a softball during a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The annual event’s multiple competitions offer opportunities for American and Japanese forces to develop relationships; further promoting camaraderie between bilateral partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a swimming competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The annual event fosters resilience, morale and camaraderie; enhancing the partnership between U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Forces. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee to his teammate in a game of ultimate frisbee.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 throws a frisbee to his teammate in a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. Events like this foster cross-cultural understanding, a critical element in the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to conduct joint operations effectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 prepares to pitch a ball in a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 prepares to pitch a ball in a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. These team-based competitions promoted joint cohesion and enhanced the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to operate alongside its Japanese counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 compete in a game of ultimate frisbee.

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 compete in a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The event enhances unit cohesion and reinforces the 35th Fighter Wing’s commitment to operating seamlessly with allied forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 compete in a game of ultimate frisbee.

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Participants of Sakura Olympics 2025 compete in a game of ultimate frisbee at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2025. The friendly competition fostered teamwork, strengthened bilateral relationships, supporting the 35th Fighter Wing’s mission to build joint readiness across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 bats a ball in a game of softball.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 bats a ball in a game of softball at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 28, 2025. The event strengthened partner-nation relationships, a key element in maintaining 35th Fighter Wing readiness and joint mission success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing base commander, extinguishes a ceremonial flame for the Sakura Olympics 2025 closing ceremony.

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U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing base commander, extinguishes a ceremonial flame for the Sakura Olympics 2025 closing ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The conclusion of the competition highlighted the unity, teamwork, and mutual respect that strengthens the 35th Fighter Wing’s mission and allied readiness in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Hannah Bench)

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A bowling ball strikes bowling pins during Sakura Olympics 2025 bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025.

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A bowling ball strikes bowling pins during Sakura Olympics 2025 bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The game was one of several recreational events designed to build morale and strengthen ties between Misawa’s U.S. and Japanese communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025.

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A participant of Sakura Olympics 2025 competes in a bowling competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. The event promoted camaraderie and friendly competition among U.S. and Japanese personnel during the annual bilateral sports exchange. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell)

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