Photo By Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Takada | F/A-18E Super Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 and EA-18G...... read more read more
SAPPORO, Japan - Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and service members traveled north to Japan’s Hokkaido Island and participated in the 26th Sapporo Air Show here, July 29.
Hosted by the Hokkaido Aeronautic Association, this year marks the first time since 2008 that U.S. military aircraft have participated in the air show.
The event featured aircraft fly-bys performed by F/A-18E Super Hornets of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, EA-18G Growlers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132, and a P-3C Orion from Patrol Squadron (VP) 8. Static displays also consisted of two SH-60B Seahawks from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, two AV-8B Harriers from Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, and a UC-12 Huron from Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
The U.S. military participation in the air show provided Hokkaido residents with an opportunity to interact with U.S. service members, while also getting an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with some impressive firepower.
“The people of Hokkaido don't usually get to see the U.S. Navy. They hear about the U.S. Navy on TV because of the things we do with the Kaijō Jieitai (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force), Kōkū Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) and the other self-defense forces, but they don't really get to see us,” said Rear Adm. John R. Haley, Commander, Task Force 70. “So this is a great opportunity to see the Japanese-American alliance working together, and to see us interacting with them.”
Sailors and Marines manning the aircraft on static display proved to be a hit with the locals. Fans of all ages swarmed the service members with questions and requests for photos.
“The highlights for me today have certainly been the crowds and the people of Sapporo,” said Cmdr. David Walt, a native of Dallas, and HSL-51 commanding officer. “The people have been wonderful, and they've asked some amazing questions. I enjoyed taking pictures with the families, showing them the aircraft, and explaining what our mission is.”
With an estimated crowd of over 40,000 in attendance, spectators came, not only to see U.S. personnel and aircraft, but to check out aircraft from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, as well as civil aviation.
“Anytime you get a chance to view in person a collection of aircraft such as this, it is an incredible opportunity,” said Walt. The Japanese and American alliance is certainly on display here today, and it's a fantastic thing to see and be a part of.”
For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2012 03:05 |
| Story ID: | 92342 |
| Location: | SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO, JP |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Navy, Marines take part in Sapporo Air Show, by CPO Kenneth Takada, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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