Misawa Air Base

Misawa Air Base
Senior Airman Derek Vanhorn · Public domain · source
Name	Misawa Air Base
Location	Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Type	United States Air Force base
Controlledby	Pacific Air Forces
Garrison	35th Fighter Wing

Misawa Air Base is a United States Air Force base located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, approximately 3 miles northwest of the city of Misawa. The base is home to the 35th Fighter Wing, which is part of the Pacific Air Forces and operates the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The base has a long history, dating back to the Imperial Japanese Navy and has been used by the United States Navy and United States Air Force since the end of World War II. The base has also been used by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and has hosted units from the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force.

● History

The history of Misawa Air Base dates back to 1938, when it was established as a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. During World War II, the base was used by the Japanese Navy Air Service and was attacked by United States Army Air Forces bombers, including the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. After the war, the base was occupied by the United States Navy and was used as a base for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps aircraft. In 1952, the base was transferred to the United States Air Force and has since been used as a base for United States Air Force fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, including the North American F-86 Sabre, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, and Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The base has also been used by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and has hosted units from the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force, including the No. 17 Squadron RAF and No. 425 Squadron RCAF.

● Operations

The primary mission of Misawa Air Base is to provide air superiority and air defense capabilities to the United States Pacific Command and the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The base is home to the 35th Fighter Wing, which operates the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The wing also provides support to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and hosts units from other countries, including the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. The base has also been used as a staging area for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, including the response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The base has also hosted exercises and training events, including the Red Flag – Alaska and Cope North exercises, which involve units from the United States Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, and other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

● Facilities

Misawa Air Base has a range of facilities, including a runway and taxiway system, hangars, and aircraft maintenance facilities. The base also has a range of support facilities, including barracks, dining facilities, and recreation facilities. The base is also home to a number of United States Air Force units, including the 35th Fighter Wing, 35th Maintenance Group, and 35th Mission Support Group. The base has also been upgraded with new facilities, including a new air traffic control tower and a new fuel storage facility. The base is also connected to the Japanese rail network and has a port facility that allows for the shipment of goods and equipment.

● Environment

Misawa Air Base is located in a seismically active region and is subject to earthquakes and tsunamis. The base has a range of measures in place to mitigate the effects of these events, including earthquake-resistant construction and tsunami evacuation plans. The base is also located near a number of wildlife habitats, including the Aomori Prefecture wetlands and the Shimokita Peninsula national park. The base has a range of measures in place to protect these habitats, including wildlife conservation programs and environmental monitoring. The base is also subject to Japanese environmental regulations, including the Japanese Environmental Law and the Japanese Wildlife Protection Law. The base has also been recognized for its environmental sustainability efforts, including the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient facilities.

● Incidents

There have been a number of incidents at Misawa Air Base over the years, including aircraft accidents and security breaches. In 1959, a United States Air Force North American F-100 Super Sabre crashed into a nearby village, killing 13 people. In 1984, a Soviet Air Forces Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 intercepted a United States Air Force Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird near the base. In 2011, the base was affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which caused significant damage to the base and surrounding area. The base has also been the subject of protests and demonstrations over the years, including protests against the United States military presence in Japan and the Japanese government's handling of environmental issues. The base has also been involved in a number of international incidents, including the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shootdown and the Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-95 intercepts. The base has also hosted units from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and has participated in NATO exercises, including the NATO Air Policing mission. The base has also been recognized for its safety record, including the receipt of the United States Air Force Safety Award.

Category:Military bases in Japan