Sharing knowledge and growing bonds at Dragon Academy

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Caitlin Suttie, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs chief and Dragon Academy volunteer, assists a Sollars Elementary School fourth grader on her class project at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 13, 2013. The Dragon Academy currently has 26 volunteers and the school is still looking for more volunteers interested in helping with the program. For more information on how to volunteer for the Dragon Academy, call Sollars Elementary School at 226-3933. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)

Sharing knowledge and growing bonds at Dragon Academy

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Caitlin Suttie, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs chief and Dragon Academy volunteer, helps a Sollars Elementary School third grader during a writing class at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 13, 2013. The Dragon Academy is an opportunity for the base community to volunteer at the school to help students in various subjects. If you want to volunteer at the Dragon Academy, contact Sollars at 226-3933 for more information. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)

Getting down and dirty with MXS

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Dana, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, tries to slap the aft center body off of the major assembly low pressure turbine as part of the 35th Maintenance Squadron during the Dirty Jobs Program on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 13, 2013. The program gives 35 MXS the chance to get the wing leadership up to their elbows in grease. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Getting down and dirty with MXS

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, works on a major assembly low pressure turbine during the Dirty Job Program at the 35th Maintenance Squadron on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 13, 2013. The program gives the squadron’s technical experts a chance to train wing leadership in the specifics of their career field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Sannai-Maruyam: recovering old history

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Maire, 610th Air Control Flight unit deployment manager, climbs out of a reconstructed pit-dwelling at the Sannai-Maruyama site in Aomori, Japan, Feb. 2, 2013. Pit-dwellings, semi-subterranean structures with circular of oval floor plans, were the most common type of residential buildings during the Jomon period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenna Jackson)

Sannai-Maruyam: recovering old history

The large six-pillar tower and the longhouse are the largest architectural remains of the Jomon period village and stand at the Sannai-Maruyama site in Aomori, Japan, Feb. 2, 2013. The Sannai-Maruyama historical excavation site is located in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan and is one of the largest Jomon Period sites. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenna Jackson)

Wild Weasels line nest with red feathers

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Taber, 35th Medical Group Family Health Clinic NCO in charge, writes down her donation for the Red Feather Bowlathon as Airman 1st Class Michael Blocker, 35 MDG Public Health technician, explains the significance of the Red Feather Campaign at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 6, 2013. The bowlathon is a fun way for people to participate and help raise money for the Misawa community. The Red Feather Campaign is a Japanese charitable program that supports local social welfare programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

NFL stars give back to Misawa

Niles Paul, Washington Redskins tight end, talks to players at the Misawa Youth Football Clinic on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. At the clinic, participants had the opportunity to receive advice and learn skills from two National Football League players. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)

NFL stars give back to Misawa

Darrel Young, left, Washington Redskins fullback, and Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, sign autographs for members of the base community at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 5, 2013. Young, along with three other NFL stars, came to Misawa to show their appreciation for what service members do on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)

NFL stars give back to Misawa

Tara, Denver Broncos cheerleader, signs autographs after the Super Bowl party at the Misawa Club Complex on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 5, 2013. At the event, members of the base community had the opportunity to meet Tara as well as Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, and Washington Redskins players Niles Paul, tight end, and Darrel Young, fullback. The purpose of their visit was to show appreciation for what service members stationed in Misawa do every day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)

NFL stars give back to Misawa

Darrel Young, Washington Redskins fullback, greets members of the base community before the start of the Super Bowl XLVII at the Misawa Club Complex on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 5, 2013. Coming to Misawa was a way for the NFL stars to show their appreciation to those who serve at Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)

Club Beyond: More than a milkshake

More than 70 students from Robert D. Edgren High School filled the cafeteria for the first Club Beyond meeting to kick off the year, where students enjoyed milkshakes, a raffle, music and a skit at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 1, 2013. The club provides a place for the teens to gather weekly to play games, eat food, socialize and develop friendships among their peers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)