Smiling for the thrill

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, left, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, right, the 3rd Air Wing commander, pose for a photo after a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. The familiarization flight gave Samejima an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and further enhanced his understanding of the 35th Fighter Wing mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara Martinez)

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Excited for the ride

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, left, the 3rd Air Wing commander, smiles for the camera before a familiarization flight next to U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, right, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. The two pilots took part in familiarization flights in each others' respective aircraft, allowing each other to understand the unique capabilities each force brings to the fight, helping to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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3rd Air Wing

Japan Air-Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, the 3rd Air Wing commander, shows off his patch at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. The 3rd AW has been around for more than 60 years, but they received the first Japanese F-35A in January of this year. Their mission is to protect the safety and security of northern Japan, and they are co-located at Misawa AB along with the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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Learning new things

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, left, the 3rd Air Wing commander, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, right, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, explain the mechanics of the aircraft before an F-16 Fighting Falcon familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. This flight allowed Samejima, an F-2 pilot, the opportunity to experience the aircraft's capabilities, ultimately allowing a critical mission partner to better understand how JASDF and USAF air forces fit together and complement each other in the mutual defense of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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Preparation is key

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, left, the 3rd Air Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, right, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, prepare for takeoff before an F-16 Fighting Falcon familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. The familiarization flight gave Samejima, an F-2 pilot, an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez)

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And we’re off!

A 14th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off during a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 2, 2018. Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, the 3rd Air Wing commander, usually flies a Mitsubishi F-2, but on this day, he had the opportunity to ride in the backseat of an F-16. Although the aircraft are visually similar, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has a larger wingspan, different avionics and weighs more than its Japanese counterpart. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarrod Vickers)

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Flash a smile

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, smiles before a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2018. The flight gave Jobe, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of an F-2 pilot and further enhance understanding of the aircraft's differences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks)

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Preparing for flight

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, speaks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Yoshinobu Sasaki, a 3rd Air Wing F-2 pilot, before a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2018. The flight gave Jobe, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, the opportunity to experience the Mitsubishi F-2 mission set. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks)

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Top down

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, sits in an F-2 cockpit before a familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2018. This flight allowed Jobe, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, the opportunity to experience the aircraft's capabilities, allowing him to better understand how Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the USAF compliment each other in the mutual defense of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks)

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Waiting for take off

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Kenichi Samejima, left, the 3rd Air Wing commander, prepares for a familiarization flight with U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, right, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2018. The flight gave Jobe, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, the opportunity to experience the responsibilities of an F-2 pilot and further enhance understanding of the wings' different missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks)

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13th and 14th

U.S. Air Force Col. R. Scott Jobe, the 35th Fighter Wing commander, throws up the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons' signs, respectively, before an F-2 familiarization flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2018. This flight allowed Jobe to experience Japan Air Self-Defense Force tactics and aircraft capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks)

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35th Fighter Wing, 3rd Air Wing commanders integrate in bilateral familiarization flights

Published July 6, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Xiomara M. Martinez and Airman 1st Class Collette Brooks
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

Smiling for the thrill

Excited for the ride

3rd Air Wing

Learning new things

Preparation is key

And we’re off!

Flash a smile

Preparing for flight

Top down

Waiting for take off

13th and 14th