Children peer at a baby salmon at the Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19, 2016. Salmon take approximately two to three years to grow up, spend another couple years in the ocean and then return to their home to lay eggs. Members of the local Japanese and Misawa Air Base communities attended the event to release the fish into the Oirase River, helping them carry out their life cycle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Preparing to release salmon

Baby salmon release staff prepare to move the fish to buckets at the Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19, 2016. More than 400,000 young fish were released into the Oirase River by Misawa Air Base and local Japanese volunteers during the 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Children release salmon

Baby salmon release attendees place the fish into the river during the 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release at the Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19, 2016. Because of the rainy weather, the usual clean-up of the park was cancelled and attendees were quick to set the young fish free. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Emptying buckets

Community members release baby salmon into the river at the Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19, 2016. The 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release attendees brought buckets and rubber boots to stay dry while releasing more than 400,000 young fish into the Oirase River. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Flying over spectators

A powered parachutist flies over a group of spectators at the Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19, 2016. More than 400 people from the local area and Misawa Air Base attended the 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release to place the fish in the Oirase River, ensuring the salmon life cycle continues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Misawa plunges into bilateral salmon release

Published March 21, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OIRASE TOWN, Japan -- A plethora of young children trickled into the misty park for the 19th Annual Baby Salmon Release at Oirase Salmon Park, Japan, March 19.

Misawa Air Base community members partnered with local Japanese citizens to release more than 400,000 young fish into the Oirase River to grow, breed and return for the annual Rokkasho Salmon Festival in the fall.

On average, salmon spend three to five years in the ocean where they mature and then return to their home to reproduce.

It is a local tradition in Oirase Town to assist these fish in carrying out their life cycle, and that custom is shared with the base each year.

Preparing to release salmon

Children release salmon

Emptying buckets

Flying over spectators