Air Show at AFB Misawa

Flashback!  The following events happened forever ago—2 months ago, but were not blogged about because we were having too much fun doing other things.

Do you still remember that we live on an Air Force Base? :) We do lots of stuff off base, but sometimes, cool things happen right in our backyard…well, sort of. Misawa AFB’s airport shares its runway with Misawa city commercial airport. Although there are only three flights out of Misawa each day, going to Tokyo, of course, there is much action going on with all the jets taking off, big Space-A planes coming in and you know, the usual Air Force stuff (I know, I sound very intelligent).

Every year, Misawa Air Show gathers a crowd. Japanese love planes! On Air Show Sunday, you can see thousands of people just flocking to our base to see the performances. We think that’s because just like in any small town, these kinds of things are a big deal. The biggest air show in three years, though, happened in 2009, our first year here---that’s when the Thunderbirds were visiting (that was crazy!!:)). So once again, you have a line of planes, huge vehicles on one side and rows of food stands on the other side. Americans are selling American food and thousands of cakes, Japanese are selling Japanese food.

Kids love being able to climb into the big equipment.

Because Robert was supposed to be still “working” by walking on the flight line, he was able to spend time with us. Oh, and if you zoom in really close on the picture below, you might see my  “squirrel” lip. My gums were swollen badly after a root canal…but that’s another story which ended me having to call our friend, the oral surgeon, to rescue me that day:)

Ukrainian Power everywhere!!!!

Cannot wait for one of these having to do some clean up!

Oh, this was a fun little spot. Kids could put on JASDAF uniform and take a picture in a plane.

Mark also enjoyed just hanging out in the kids’ room with all the Japanese kids. While the older kids really understand that they are living amongst Japanese, Mark probably thinks that we are al the same. This is the only way he’s ever known.

And a happy family picture next to my favorite kind of plane…oh, it was so painful to smile…

We still went to church that day, but not until 5 pm. Everyone active duty is required to work that day.

Good night again.