Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander visits Misawa Air Base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Gavin Hameed and Kohei Sugisawa
  • 35th Fighter Wing

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, presents a coin to Master Sgt. Sarah Hinojosa, 35th Fighter Wing inspections program manager, during a visit.

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U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, presents a coin to Master Sgt. Sarah Hinojosa, 35th Fighter Wing inspections program manager, during a visit April 13, 2026, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Carey recognized Hinojosa and other Airmen for their outstanding performance and contributions to the bilateral defense in Northern Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gavin Hameed)
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U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, presents a coin to Master Sgt. Sarah Hinojosa, 35th Fighter Wing inspections program manager, during a visit.

260414-F-YR448-1050

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, presents a coin to Master Sgt. Sarah Hinojosa, 35th Fighter Wing inspections program manager, during a visit April 13, 2026, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Carey recognized Hinojosa and other Airmen for their outstanding performance and contributions to the bilateral defense in Northern Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gavin Hameed)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, poses for a photo after coining Maj. Alexander Haley, 35th Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, during an immersion tour.

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, poses for a photo after coining Maj. Alexander Haley, 35th Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, during an immersion tour at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 13, 2026. During the tour, Carey recognized superior performers from numerous units across the 35th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kohei Sugisawa/Released-Edited for OPSEC)

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A U.S. Airman assigned to the 35th Medical Support Squadron (MDSS) briefs U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, and his wife Mendy Carey during an immersion tour.

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A U.S. Airman assigned to the 35th Medical Support Squadron (MDSS) briefs U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, and his wife Mendy Carey during an immersion tour at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 13, 2026. Members of the 35th MDSS explained their typical day-to-day workflow and the ways in which they collaborate with local medical institutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kohei Sugisawa/ Released-Edited for OPSEC)

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Mendy Carey (center left) sits with members from the 35th Fighter Wing Key Support Liaison group to discuss quality of life.

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Mendy Carey (center left) sits with members from the 35th Fighter Wing Key Support Liaison group to discuss quality of life at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 13, 2026. During a roundtable discussion, members highlighted their priority of strengthening quality-of-life initiatives for military families, recognizing that their well-being directly supports the Airmen and civilians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kohei Sugisawa)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Winton Laslie, 35th Medical Group (MDG) commander, gives a speech during an immersion tour.

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U.S. Air Force Col. Winton Laslie, 35th Medical Group (MDG) commander, gives a speech during an immersion tour at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 13, 2026. Laslie briefed U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, and his spouse, Mendy Carey, on Airmen’s achievements and hard work during last year’s Resolute Force Pacific exercise, as well as the 35th MDG’s plans for future resource utilization and development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kohei Sugisawa/Released-Edited for OPSEC)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, speaks with pilots and Airmen assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron during an immersion tour.

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, speaks with pilots and Airmen assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron during an immersion tour at Misawa Air Base, April 13, 2026, Japan. During the visit, Carey engaged with Airmen on morale, daily challenges, life in Japan and strategic priorities for the 35th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gavin Hameed)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, and his wife, Mendy Carey, have lunch with squadron commanders, senior enlisted leaders and their spouses.

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, and his wife, Mendy Carey, have lunch with squadron commanders, senior enlisted leaders and their spouses April 13, 2026, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The luncheon gave Carey an opportunity to engage with unit leaders and families while discussing quality of life and mission priorities across the 35th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gavin Hameed)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, holds a 3D-printed O-ring while speaking with 1st Lt. Thomas Wachter 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron operational test engineer.

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Joel Carey, Fifth Air Force commander, holds a 3D-printed O-ring while speaking with 1st Lt. Thomas Wachter 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron operational test engineer, April 13, 2026, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The Innovation Team showcased how Airmen are creating practical, cost-effective solutions to enhance mission support flexibility and to reduce replacement part costs for squadrons across the wing.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gavin Hameed)

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During the tour, Carey recognized superior performers from numerous units across the 35th Fighter Wing.