Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Serrill, 35th Fighter Wing director of staff, embraces Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, during a fini-flight celebration at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. More than seven years ago, Hashimoto was selected as an exchange officer assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where he had the opportunity to work side by side with Serrill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Matthew Lavigne, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, speaks to a member of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force about the traditions and customs of how American F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots perform fini-flights at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. The tradition for a Japanese pilot's final flight at a duty location is often more formal than the livelier atmosphere of American-style fini-flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force maintainer directs a JASDF F-2 piloted by Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. Hashimoto was piloting his last flight in the JASDF F-2 at Misawa AB, where he has been stationed for the past four years and worked closely with U.S. pilots. For more than 50 years the Japanese have shared the runway at Misawa AB, conducting flight operations to maintain readiness and provide security in the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, is hosed down with water by his wife as part of a fini-flight celebration at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. Unlike a more formal Japanese setting for a fini-flight, Hashimoto received an American-style hose down with water and champagne by coworkers, family and friends from the 35th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, thanks U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Kay, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, for taking part in his fini-flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. 13th FS pilots and friends of Hashimoto from the 35th Fighter Wing showed JASDF members a different style of fini-flight common among U.S. fighter pilots. U.S. service members at Misawa AB maintain one of the strongest relationships with the local community and its military counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

Members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and 35th Fighter Wing, alongside friends and family of Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, pose for a group photo during a fini-flight celebration at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. This was part of Hashimoto’s last flight at Misawa AB, where he has spent 4 of the last 19 years as a JASDF pilot. Misawa AB prides itself in having a strong bond between U.S. service members and the local community. Hosting events like Japan Day, American Day, and other bilateral events, the base is actively engaged in maintaining that strong relationship which has lasted more than 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

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Transcending traditions, JASDF pilot receives USAF goodbye

Published March 25, 2015
By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- In an American-style hose down with water and ice, pilots from the 13th Fighter Squadron came together with members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to celebrate a fini-flight for Lt. Col. Katsushi "Kitty" Hashimoto, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron commander, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015.

Different than the formal Japanese fini-flight traditions, Hashimoto got a taste of the livelier environment U.S. fighter pilots partake in during goodbyes. Since his days as an exchange officer at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Hashimoto has maintained a strong relationship with his American counterparts. He credits much of his flight philosophy and beliefs as a squadron commander to the things he learned while flying alongside U.S. pilots from the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB.