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Weapons System Evaluation Program Tests 13th Fighter Squadron Weapons Capabilities

Misawa Air Base Airmen with the 13th Fighter Squadron pose for a photo at joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2018. The 13th Fighter Squadron and AMXS participated in Combat Hammer, which is a part of the Air Force's weapons system evaluation program. Combat Hammer gave pilots and maintainers an oppertunity to train with live munitions, they don't usually get to handle.

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Weapons System Evaluation Program Tests 13th Fighter Squadron Weapons Capabilities

A 13th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, taxis in a F-16 Fighting Falcon at joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2018. The 13th Fighter Squadron and AMXS participated in Combat Hammer, which is a part of the Air Force's weapons system evaluation program. Combat Hammer gave pilots and maintainers an oppertunity to train with live munitions, they don't usually get to handle

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RQ-4 Global Hawks arrive at Misawa AB

An RQ-4 Global Hawk, assigned to the 69th Reconnaissance Group, Detachment 1, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, lands at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 1, 2018, for a temporary intra-theater deployment. The movement increases operations for Global Hawks during months of inclement weather endured at Andersen, such as typhoons and other scenarios which have the potential to hinder readiness.The Andersen-based RQ-4s were deployed to Yokota AB, Japan, in 2017 and to Misawa AB in 2014 and 2015 for similar reasons. The United States continues to deploy its most advanced capabilities to Japan, including the Global Hawk, as part of the commitment to the security and stability of Japan.

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U.S., Indonesian Air Forces Build on 70-year Relationship through Cope West 2019

Members from the U.S. Air Force and Indonesian military participate in the exercise Cope West 18 (CW18) closing ceremony at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, March 23, 2018. CW18 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, bilateral exercise involving the U.S. and Indonesian air forces and is designed to advance interoperability and build upon already established partnerships between the air forces. This year marked the second time that U.S. fighter aircraft training has taken place in Indonesia in two decades and the sixth time Cope West has been hosted in Indonesia.

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More than allies: Immigrant Airman forges intercultural friendships

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cesar Ventura, left, a 35th Fighter Wing inspector general vertical inspections planner, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Warrant Officers Junji Miura, center, the 3rd Air Wing command chief, and Tsuyoshi Endo, right, the former 6th Air Defense Missile Group chief and Senior Noncommissioned Officer Association president, discuss plans to celebrate Endo's retirement next month with a small family gathering during a "tea time" meeting in the 3rd AW's headquarters at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 14, 2018. Ventura's deep understanding of his host nation's language and culture cemented him relationships with two life-long friends who now consider him, "like family."

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F-35A sits on Misawa AB flightline

The first operational Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A sits on the flightline while an F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off during the F-35A’s arrival ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2018. In the upcoming Japanese fiscal year, nine more aircraft will join this one to incept the first fifth-generation fighter squadron as part of the JASDF’s 3rd Air Wing.

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Wild Weasel fixes critical equipment, 35th MDG mission carries on

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chuck Frizzel, left, the 35th Fighter Wing command chief, and Col. R. Scott. Jobe, right, the 35th FW commander present a Wild Weasel of the Week certificate to Staff Sgt. Jeremy LeBlanc, center, a 35th Medical Support Squadron biomedical equipment technician, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, January 23, 2018. To highlight Airmen going above and beyond, the 35th FW leadership recognizes one outstanding performer in the wing as the “Wild Weasel of the Week.”

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Sister services exchange Growler, Viper familiarization flights

(From left) U.S. Navy Lt Cdr. Erik Halvorson, an Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 EA-18 Growler pilot, and U.S. Air Force Capt. James Broncheau, a 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, disembark a Growler after a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2018. The familiarization flight gave the opportunity for each pilot to experience the capabilities and responsibilities of each aircraft, while enhancing the understanding of each jet’s role in different missions.

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Night flying enhances aircraft maintenance unit's readiness

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyler Record, 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dedicated crew chief, inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon panel at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 16, 2017. Ever couple of months Airmen who typucally work day shift, switch to nights in order to gain the neccessary experience for optimal combat readiness.

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Flags on the street

Misawa City fire department volunteers post flags during the Annual Misawa City Fire Department New Year ceremony in Misawa City, Japan, Jan. 14, 2018. Misawa City invited 35th Fighter Wing and Japan Air Self-Defense Force 3rd Air Wing leadership to the event, providing opportunities to honor those who lost their lives in line of duty and wish firefighters a safe and successful year.

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A pilots gear

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rosendo Garcia, right, a 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, shows U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Anthony Spadaro, the U.S. Pacific Command senior enlisted leader, left, a cold weather uniform pilots wear during winter training as part of his two-day visit at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 21, 2017. Spadaro visited various units across Misawa, including the 35th Security Forces Squadron, 35th Maintenance Group, and the 35th Medical Group, seeing first hand Misawa’s mission capabilities.

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Stronger together

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Anthony Spadaro, the U.S. Pacific Command senior enlisted leader, coins Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chief Warrant Officer Hirotakn Sasaki, command chief of Northern Aircraft Control and Warning Wing, during a two-day visit at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 20, 2017. Spadaro’s visit served as an opportunity to meet with JASDF 3rd Air Wing leadership and engage with the Koku-Jiei-Tai junior enlisted, reaffirming the alliance between the two countries.

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Low crawl struggle

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dennis Kim, a 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and MWD Drake low crawl through an obstacle during the Winter Warrior Challenge at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 13, 2017. The MWD handlers wore individual protective equipment, a M4 carbine, and a ruck sack with water and veterinarian medical supplies weighing around 55 pounds throughout the competition.

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Ready, Set, Demo: PACAF Demo Team Arrived at Nyutabaru Air Base

U.S. Air Force Maj. Richard Smeeding, the Pacific Air Forces' Demonstration team pilot, carries his helmet bag to his jet at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1, 2017. The team showed up nearly a week prior to the Nyutabura Air Show, to ensure everything is properly prepared in order to execute the best show possible. The PACAF Demo Team based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, promotes positive relations between the United States and nations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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Panthers, Samurais relocate for VIGILANT ACE 18

An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 13th Fighter Squadron taxis to a hardened aircraft shelter prior to the start of VIGILANT ACE 18 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 30, 2017. VIGILANT ACE 18 is an annual flying exercise encompassing more than 12,000 personnel on the Korean Peninsula and will be executed Dec. 4 through 8. More than 280 Airmen and 18 F-16s from the 35th Fighter Wing are currently participating in the exercise, further developing readiness and interoperability within the Indo-Asia- Pacific region.

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Old jet breaks new barriers

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, throws up the 14th and 13th Fighter Squadrons' signs, respectively, before a flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 20, 2017. During the subsequent flight, Jobe's F-16 Fighting Falcon earned the distinction of being the first U.S. Air Force F-16 to surpass 9,500 flight hours. Currently, this aircraft is slated to remain in service until it exceeds 12,000 flying hours.

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Misawa Airmen host JGSDF soldiers during bilateral exchange

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sergeant 1st Class Tetsuya Aoyama, left, a 1st Training Unit assistant English instructor out of Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, and Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Kuzel, right, the 35th Security Forces Squadron S-3 operations superintendent, observe military working dog tactics during an exchange program at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 14, 2017. Misawa Air Base hosts the exchanges with JGSDF personnel twice a year, allowing their basic English course students to immerse themselves in an English-speaking military environment, further improving the relationship between the two forces.

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First Japanese-built F-35A lands at Misawa AB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Elijah Supper, Defense Contract Management Agency government flight representative, taxis an F-35A on the runway at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 2, 2017. To ensure the jet safely makes it to the United States, Supper stopped at Misawa Air Base, Japan, to undergo safety checks on the aircraft before flying across the ocean.

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Stronger together: JASDF, U.S. Airmen build bonds during resiliency day

U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel take a group photo at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 27, 2017. JASDF members joined the 35th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies for their resiliency day, further enhancing the strong bond between the 35th Fighter Wing and 3rd Air Wing.

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Iron Spear exercise sharpens alliances

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 35th Fighter Wing takes off during exercise Iron Spear at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2017. The 14th Fighter Squadron F-16s, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force banded together to practice an array of offensive firepower during exercise Iron Spear, Oct. 11 through 13.

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