U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force participants compete in a volleyball match at the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event reflects the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect as U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members come together to build camaraderie and strengthen partnerships through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force participants compete in a volleyball match at the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event reflects the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect as U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members come together to build camaraderie and strengthen partnerships through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
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Michela Kuhn, a military spouse, pushes through a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, determination and friendly competition while strengthening connections across the Misawa bilateral military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

Michela Kuhn, a military spouse, pushes through a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, determination and friendly competition while strengthening connections across the Misawa bilateral military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, passes a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, communication and friendly competition while bringing members of the Misawa community together through recreational sports. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, passes a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, communication and friendly competition while bringing members of the Misawa community together through recreational sports. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force participants compete in a volleyball match at the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event reflects the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect as U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members come together to build camaraderie and strengthen partnerships through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

    Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

    U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force participants compete in a volleyball match at the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event reflects the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect as U.S. Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members come together to build camaraderie and strengthen partnerships through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Michela Kuhn, a military spouse, pushes through a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, determination and friendly competition while strengthening connections across the Misawa bilateral military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

    Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

    Michela Kuhn, a military spouse, pushes through a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, determination and friendly competition while strengthening connections across the Misawa bilateral military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, passes a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, communication and friendly competition while bringing members of the Misawa community together through recreational sports. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

    Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

    U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th Fighter Wing commander, passes a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The event highlights teamwork, communication and friendly competition while bringing members of the Misawa community together through recreational sports. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  

Participants compete in sporting events during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly competition.

 

A participant catches a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

A participant catches a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 5 images | Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities
A participant catches a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

A participant catches a frisbee during an ultimate frisbee match as part of the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force players compete in a volleyball match during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, communication and camaraderie by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly athletic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force players compete in a volleyball match during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 13, 2026. The annual event promotes teamwork, communication and camaraderie by bringing together members of the Misawa community through friendly athletic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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A participant adjusts weight plates during a dead lift event during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event brings together U.S. Forces personnel, Japan Air Self-Defense Force members and their families through athletic competition, strengthening camaraderie, teamwork and community partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

A participant adjusts weight plates during a dead lift event during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event brings together U.S. Forces personnel, Japan Air Self-Defense Force members and their families through athletic competition, strengthening camaraderie, teamwork and community partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kirsten Leon-Guerrero, 35th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight chief, performs a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event encourages physical fitness, teamwork and friendly competition while strengthening relationships between U.S. forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kirsten Leon-Guerrero, 35th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight chief, performs a deadlift during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event encourages physical fitness, teamwork and friendly competition while strengthening relationships between U.S. forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force teams compete in a soccer match during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event celebrates athleticism, unity and international friendship while bringing together members of the Misawa community through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

Sakura Olympics unite Misawa Air Base U.S., Japanese communities

U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force teams compete in a soccer match during the 2026 Sakura Olympics at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 12, 2026. The annual event celebrates athleticism, unity and international friendship while bringing together members of the Misawa community through sports competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Angelica Winther)

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