Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Maj. Michael Driscoll, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, takes off here just before dawn Feb. 3. The jet's single engine is capable of producing 27,000 pounds of thrust taking the F-16 to an altitude of 50,000 feet and a speed of 1,500 miles per hour -- nearly twice the speed of sound. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Craig Phelps, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, ascends from the runway in a predawn takeoff Feb. 3. The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Cory Farrer, 13th Fighter Squadron pilot, taxis an F-16 Fighting Falcon toward the runway for a predawn takeoff Feb. 3. The F-16 is a multi-role, all-weather fighter capable of accurately delivering ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Falcons rise with the sun

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- While piloting an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Capt. Craig Phelps takes off into the Misawa morning sky Feb. 3 during Exercise Beverly Sunrise 10-01. Lasting a total of eight days, the exercise's aim was to hone Airmen's skills as they operated in a "deployed" environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)

Misawa after dark: fuels management flight

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Curtis Skaggs, 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crewchief, places chalks behind the tires of an R-11 fuel truck in a hardened aircraft shelter Jan. 19. Safety of personnel and equipment is a top priority on the flightline, and the mandatory chalks help prevent vehicles such as this from accidentally rolling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Misawa after dark: fuels management flight

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- An R-11 fuel truck carrying JP-8 jet fuel pulls up in front of a hardened aircraft shelter to refuel an F-16 Fighting Falcon Jan. 19. The 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight ensures 35th Fighter Wing and transient aircraft receive fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

JASDF leadership gets firsthand look at "wild weasel" mission

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A dual-seat F-16 Fighting Falcon taxis in front of its single-seat counterpart Nov. 20. Two Japan Air Self-Defense Force generals were offered a unique opportunity to get a firsthand perspective of the 35th Fighter Wing's mission from the backseat of an F-16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

JASDF leadership gets firsthand look at "wild weasel" mission

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Col. David Stilwell, 35th Fighter Wing commander, with Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Kiyoshi Yada, Northern Air Defense Force commander, takes off from Misawa Air Base Nov. 20. The flight provided an opportunity for General Yada to better understand the role and capabilities of the 35th Fighter Wing's F-16 fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

JASDF leadership gets firsthand look at "wild weasel" mission

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Pablo Jimenez, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crewchief, talks with the pilot during engine startup on the flightline Nov. 17. Headsets allow crewchiefs to stay in contact with their pilots despite the noise level associated with engine startup. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

JASDF leadership gets firsthand look at "wild weasel" mission

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. RC Craig, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, acquaints Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hideo Maehara, 3rd Air Wing commander, with the cockpit of a F-16 Fighting Falcon Nov. 17. Colonel Craig flew General Maehara in the F-16 to give him a first-person perspective of the wing's fighter mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Air Fest 2009

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A B-52 Stratofortress flies over the runway during Air Fest 2009 at Misawa Air Base, Japan Oct. 18. (Courtesy photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Erickson)

Misawa Air Base hosts Air Fest 2009

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the Pacific Air Forces Aerial Demonstration Team performs an aerial demonstration concluding Air Fest 2009 Oct. 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)