12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Phillips III and Senior Airman Samuel Walker, 35th Security Forces Squadron law enforcement desk sergeants, process more than 240 unexpected passengers through customs at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The plane departed the base then experienced a mechanical issue and had to return. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Kidd, 35th Security Forces Squadron customs officer, processes more than 240 unexpected passengers through customs at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. Kidd verified the passenger’s had the proper identification and had their Government of Japan Disembarkation forms completed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)

12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Escobar, 35th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of lodging, and Frank McManus, World Airways, work together to find lodging for more than 240 unexpected passengers at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The base was in the middle of an Operational Readiness Exercise when base leadership was notified of the planes arrival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Escobar, 35th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of lodging, briefs patriot express passengers on lodging and breakfast arrangements after their flight returned with a mechanical issue to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. After finishing a 12-hour shift during an Operational Readiness Exercise, Escobar spent the next 12-hours assisting service members and their families with lodging arrangements for the night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

12/4/2012 - Patriot express passengers wait for buses to transport them to lodging after their flight returned with a mechanical issue to Misawa Air Base, Dec. 4, 2012. The base was in the middle of a Operational Readiness Exercise, when more than 240 passengers arrived unexpectedly in need of lodging and food. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

12/4/2012 - More than 240 Patriot Express passengers eat dinner at the Misawa Club Complex after their flight unexpectedly returned due to mechanical issues to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The base was in the middle of an Operational Readiness Exercise when the Command Post was notified that the plane was inbound. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins

12/4/2012 - Paul Gotshall, Misawa Club Complex general manager, makes pasta for more than 240 unexpected patriot express passengers at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The base provided the passengers with food and lodging to ease their stay after their flight unexpectedly returned due to mechanical issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)

12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julie Dimmitt, patriot express passenger, makes a plate of food for her son at the Misawa Club Complex after their plane experienced mechanical issue and returned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. Members of the 35th Force Support Squadron arranged lodging and food for more than 240 unexpected passengers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

12/4/2012 - Son of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgts. Julie and David Dimmitt, patriot express passengers, looks over the side of the pasta bar in search of French toast at the Misawa Club Complex at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The Dimmitt family was in the process of a permanent change of station when their plane was unexpectedly returned to base due to mechanical issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

12/4/2012 - Patriot express passengers board a bus after having a late meal provided by the Misawa Club Complex at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The base provided lodging and meals for more than 240 passengers that unexpectedly returned to the base after their plane experienced mechanical issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

12/4/2012 - Rutchemel Escudero, left, and Imari Sullivan, 35th Force Support Squadron Misawa Inn guest service representatives, make lodging arrangements for unexpected patriot express passengers after their flight returned with a mechanical issue to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The Misawa Inn and the Navy Gateway Inn Suite worked together to provide lodging for more than 240 passengers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

12/4/2012 - U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 35th Fighter Wing unload bags belonging to more than 240 unexpected patriot express passengers after their flight returned with a mechanical issue to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron provided drivers and transportation for the wing’s unexpected guests in addition to participating in an Operational Readiness Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)

12/4/2012 - Single and unaccompanied patriot express passengers check into their rooms, provided for them by the Navy Gateway Inn Suite, after their plane experienced mechanical issues and unexpectedly return to Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 4, 2012. The base was in the middle of an Operational Readiness Exercise when the Command Post was notified of the planes return. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)