Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Staff Sgt. Ryo Omi, U-125A crew chief from Komaki Air Base’s Air Rescue Squadron, writes down information after performing maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon with members of the 35th Maintenance Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 11, 2015. Omi was one of several JASDF members who integrated with Misawa maintainers during the most recent Bilateral Exchange Program. The program began in 1996 to allow American and Japanese Forces the opportunity to work together and learn from each other’s daily operations. Almost 20 years later, the program still brings the Forces together three times a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Wallace)

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Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan Campbell, 35th Maintenance Squadron phase dock NCO in charge, and Col. Andrew Hansen 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, watch as Staff Sgt. Sean Williams, maintainer attached to the 35 MXS, works on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 6, 2014. Campbell and Williams were two of several Airmen within the maintenance field to participate in Bilateral Exchange Program Feb. 2-13. The program brings American Airmen and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force within similar career fields together three times a year to see how the other operates, and bring lessons learned back to their respective Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse Wilcox, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, explains panels in the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Staff Sgt. Ryo Omi, U-125A crew chief from Komaki Air Base’s Air Rescue Squadron, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 6, 2015. Omi spent two weeks with Misawa maintainers as part of the Bilateral Exchange Program, which allows American and Japanese Airmen within similar career fields an opportunity to learn skills and techniques from each other. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Puente, 35th Maintenance Squadron, and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Tech. Sgt. Yuji Hoshi, 3rd Fighter Squadron F-2 crew chief, work together to close the panel of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 6, 2015. Puente and Hoshi were able to work side-by-side as part of the two-week long Bilateral Exchange Program hosted Feb. 2-13. The program gives American and Japanese service members in similar career fields the opportunity to work together and share different work techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange Program

Published Feb. 13, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Wallace
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the 35th Maintenance Squadron hosted Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel during the Bilateral Exchange Program Feb. 2-13. The program began in 1996 to allow American and Japanese Forces the opportunity to work together and learn from each other's daily operations. Twenty years later, the program still brings the Forces together three times a year.

The first exchange occurred between the 35th Fighter Wing and the 2nd Air Wing in Chitose, Japan, in February 1996. The exchanges typically last at least one week and are focused on work centers, facility tours and cultural exchanges.

Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program

Misawa hosts Bilateral Exchange program