Photo By Staff Sgt. Collette Brooks | An F-16 Fighting Falcon performs during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force –...... read more read more
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A crisp breeze passes through various entertainment booths and spills across the vast asphalt at the start of the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2019 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5. American and Japanese service members move rapidly to stage the scene with food carts, an array of aircraft statistic displays and souvenirs to welcome the approximately 165,000 anticipated guests.
Unit patches, hats and t-shirts line the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team display table. The Demo Team members share an overflow of laughter and gratitude with local community attendees as they exchange yen for memorabilia while describing their favorite aerial maneuvers and event attractions.
This event represented an opportunity for host nation community members and guest performers to strengthen their bond through photography, commination and an open discussion of U.S. aircraft’s capabilities.
“We preform our aerial and ground demonstration as a thank you for those who traveled, far and wide, to come support us,” explained Staff Sgt. Mario Perez, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-16 avionics specialist and PACAF F-16 demonstration team announcer. “The aviation performances and meet and greets gives us an opportunity to connect in a more personal way with the local community. This interaction symbolizes our gratitude and appreciation we have for this beautiful country.”
The airshow not only presented a convenient and alluring method for American and Japanese people to come together as one, but it aids in enhancing the Indo-Pacific region’s security and multilateral coalition.
“Interacting with our host nation in this casual and fun setting strengthens our bond in a unique way,” added Tech. Sgt. Esteban Ramirez, a 14th AMU aerospace propulsion system specialist and PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team member. “The comradery built during these unforgettable moments instills a partnership which will stand the test of time. It’s important to build those bonds now, so we already have an established familiarity with each other to take on adverse times together.”
These moments generated connections, said Perez as he described the event's sights and sounds.
“I love seeing a sea of people laughing, talking and mingling,” shared Perez as a smile stretched across his face. “The community takes great pride in photographing our aircraft which, in turn, gives me a great sense of pride because I had a personal hand in making that happen. The support and graciousness received from the locals comes in many forms, but my favorite part is just simply communicating together because it gives them a chance to practice their English while I get to practice my Japanese. This interactions allows both parties to develop a better understanding and appreciation of each other which is our sole purpose of conducting these airshows.”
Multiple aircrafts lined the stark white clouds draped in front of the coffee-colored mountain range as Ramirez elaborated on the importance of the event and how both nations benefit from days like this.
“We want attendees to see what we do as military members in their country,” explained Perez. “We spend a majority of our day interacting with the youngest to oldest attendees in hopes of being able to leave a positive and everlasting impression.”
While the crowds “ooos” and “aws” filled the air, Perez described the day as somber, yet humbling.
“Since this was my last mission with the demo team, I gave it my all today,” Perez added with a disappointed, yet appreciative tone in his voice. “A rush of adrenaline over took me as ‘Primo’, our demo pilot, performed. I have grown as a maintainer, learned countless life lessons and have become a better-rounded person all thanks to my time on the Demo Team.”
Perez wasn’t the only one to end the day on a high note, Ramirez shared the same rush of excitement since he will be the next “voice of PACAF."
“It’s going to be gut wrenching when I’ll have to do this job without Perez,” expressed Ramirez with his hands clenched together and his smile fading. “I am forever grateful for his support, friendship and knowledge I gained during our time together.”
While the demonstration team built a solid union through comradery, Perez noted his fondest memories began from the bright beginning to the enduring end.
“I’ll never forget the people I started the team with, those who came on mid-way through, current team members and even those I just met today,” reminisced Perez. “Traveling the world and making memories along the way from each country, city and state was the highlight of my whole military career.”
As Perez’s Demo Team duties came to a close in Iwakuni, the team he leaves behind will continue building and sustaining a working relationship with their counterparts and allies. Moving fast to stay competitive fundamentally transforms U.S. military branches from standard to thriving working towards a common goal of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2019 02:08 |
| Story ID: | 323843 |
| Location: | MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP |
| Hometown: | CINCINNATI, OHIO, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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