News>Bilateral relations strengthened; friendships created at Misawa Sports Day
Photos
U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Rothstein, left, 35th Fighter Wing commander, tosses a ball to Kazumasa Taneichi, right, Misawa City mayor, during a competition at the 2012 Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. During this competition called Nerf Newcomb, teams scored points by making the opposing team miss the ball. The sports day promoted Japanese-American relations by having bilateral teams compete in various events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Al Wimmer, left, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, spikes a ball over a net during a competition at the 2012 Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. During this competition called Nerf Newcomb, teams scored points by making the opposing team miss the ball. Throughout the day, teamwork and camaraderie were displayed despite language and cultural barriers. (U.S Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. John Griffin, 35th Mission Support Group commander, passes a sponge to his teammate during the fill the container event at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. The event was part of Sports Day, which was held to increase bilateral relations and create new friendships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Members of Team Sabre get excited and ready for Sports Day at the base beach at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Each team stood as the master of ceremony announced their team name and cheered to get ready for the day’s events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)
Members from Misawa Air Base and the local community line up to start the egg carry event at the base beach at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. The event was a part of Sports Day, intended to strengthen bilateral relations and provide friendly competition for the Americans and Japanese. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/ Released)
Shoji Kurotaki, a member of team Mustang, leads the pack during the egg carry event at Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. The event was held at the base beach to give servicemembers and members of the local community a chance to create new friendships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, squeezes water from his team’s sponge during the fill the container competition during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Nine teams were compiled to compete in the day’s events so new people could meet and create new friendships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee/Released)
Japan Air Self Defense Force Col. Hitohiko Iwasaki, left, 3rd Air Wing vice commander and Col. Al Wimmer, right, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, compete in a kayak relay race during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Distinguished members of the Misawa City community, United States Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force gathered at the base beach to get to know one another and strengthen bilateral relations through friendly competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, right, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, and Japan Air Self Defense Force Warrant Officer Takahiro Imagawa, left, 3rd Air Wing senior enlisted advisor, paddle to the finish line during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Nine teams compiled of distinguished members of the Misawa City community, United States Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force competed in the day’s events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
Participants in the Sports Day event compete in the kayak relay race at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Despite differences in culture, the Japanese and U.S. participants discovered they had a great deal in common as they competed together in various events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
Participants in the Sports Day event compete in the kayak relay race at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Despite differences in culture, the Japanese and U.S. participants discovered they had a great deal in common as they competed together in various events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, motivates attendees as he reads the final scores during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Nine teams competed against each other in four different events at the base beach. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)
Team Falcon poses for a picture after winning first place during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Team Falcon finished four points ahead of those following with a score of 28 after competing in four different games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)
Team Viper poses for a picture after winning second place during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012. Team Viper finished with a score of 24 finishing 5 points ahead of Team Mustang after competing in four different games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)
by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
7/3/2012 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Distinguished members of the Misawa City community, United States Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force gathered at the base beach to get to know one another and become friends during Sports Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 30, 2012.
Nine teams were compiled to compete in the day's events, which included an egg carry, kayak relay, nerf newcomb and fill the container. Nerf newcomb was an event where participants threw the balls over a net and then scored points when the ball hit the ground on the opponents side of the net.
"We took teams of people that had never met and from the competition we learned a lot about each other," said Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander.
After the events concluded, the Base Club catered a luncheon for the participants that featured traditional American barbecue.
"Despite differences in culture, the Japanese and U.S. participants discovered we had a lot in common at the event," said Wimmer. "That is something we were able to learn today; even though we have our own distinct cultures we still have many things in common."
Whether it was teaching one another new words or talking about hobbies that they both enjoy, common ground was not a hard thing to find for the Americans and the Japanese at the event.
As different teams won different events, one thing remained constant: each team was having fun getting to know each other.
"It was a very fun time and a great experience," said Kazuto Orikasa, Misawa City hall official. "When the Japanese participate in events like this one once with the Americans, we want to do it again."
Then when the day came to a close and all the events were over, one team did have to come out on top of the rest. Team Falcon finished first place ahead of Team Viper finishing second, Team Mustang in third. All teams were comprised of American and Japanese members.
An award was also given to the team who showed the best camaraderie and teamwork during the day's events. This award was given to two teams, Team Shooting Star and Team Eagle. Considering what this event was really looking to accomplish, these two teams received an award that was necessary, according to participants.
Throughout the day, teamwork and camaraderie were displayed despite language and cultural barriers. The Americans and Japanese were cheering and laughing together from the moment the event started to when the final event ended, and it continued throughout the luncheon.
Wimmer said he was a proud winner and champion always, but there was absolutely more to this event than winning.
"With a little investment in time to share the beach, the barbecue and a couple of fun games, it opens the door to our future together," said Wimmer.
