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Misawa Airport (IATA: MSJ, ICAO: RJSM) is a small airport in Misawa, a city in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. It is also known as Misawa Air Base, which is used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy. The airport has a convenient location, but the nearby Aomori Airport (AOJ) is the biggest airport in the area. Misawa Airport offers domestic flights to destinations such as Osaka and Tokyo, with Japan Airlines being the only airline flying to and from the airport.
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What You'll Learn
- Misawa Airport and Misawa Air Base share facilities and airport codes
- Misawa Air Base is used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the US Air Force, and the US Navy
- The base was established in 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
- Commercial operations at Misawa Airport were suspended in 1965
- Misawa is the only combined joint service installation in the western Pacific
Misawa Airport and Misawa Air Base share facilities and airport codes
Misawa Airport, also known as Misawa Air Base, is a small airport in Misawa, a city in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. It is located 425 miles (684 km) north of Tokyo. The airport code of Misawa Airport is MSJ, and it shares facilities and airport codes with the Misawa Air Base.
The history of the Misawa Air Base dates back to the Meiji period when it served as a cavalry training center for the Imperial Army. In 1870, Emperor Meiji established a stud farm for the cavalry in the area that later became the air base. The first runway at Misawa for military aircraft was constructed by the Japanese Army in 1938. The base was taken over by the Imperial Navy Air Corps in 1942, and it was used for research and development, as well as for the Kamikaze Special Attack forces.
Misawa Airport was opened on January 11, 1952, with Japan Airlines providing scheduled services to Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. However, commercial operations were suspended in 1965 due to safety and security concerns, and flight operations were transferred to the JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base. Today, Japan Airlines remains the only airline operating at Misawa Airport, with domestic flights to destinations such as Osaka and Tokyo.
Misawa Air Base is a joint-use facility of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy. It is the only combined, joint-service installation in the western Pacific, hosting both Japanese and American troops. The base is home to the 35th Fighter Wing, with approximately 48 F-16 aircraft split between the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons.
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Misawa Air Base is used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the US Air Force, and the US Navy
Misawa Air Base in Japan is used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the US Air Force, and the US Navy. The base was established by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in 1941, and Lake Ogawara, located nearby, was one of the sites used by the Imperial Japanese Navy to rehearse for the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was due to the lake's shallow depth.
During World War II, the base was heavily bombed by the US Navy in 1945 and was subsequently occupied by the US after Japan's surrender. The base's history with the US military is long-standing and significant, given that it was occupied by US forces after World War II and continues to be used by both the US Air Force and US Navy today. The airport codes and facilities are shared between the civilian airport and the military base.
The Misawa Air Base has a unique and complex history, given its role in World War II and its subsequent use by both the Japanese and US militaries. The base's current usage by both the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and US military demonstrates the ongoing strategic importance of the location and the strong military ties between Japan and the US.
The first Misawa Airport opened in 1952, with Japan Airlines offering scheduled services to Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Chitose Airport in Hokkaidō. However, these commercial operations were halted in 1965 due to security and safety concerns raised by the US, leading to the transfer of flight operations to the JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base.
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The base was established in 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Misawa Airport (MSJ) is located in Misawa, a city in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. The airport shares its facilities and airport codes with the Misawa Air Base.
During World War II, the base was heavily bombed by the United States Navy in 1945 and subsequently occupied by the United States after the surrender of Japan. The first Misawa Airport was opened on January 11, 1952, with Japan Airlines providing scheduled services to Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Chitose Airport in Hokkaidō. However, commercial operations were suspended in 1965 due to safety and security concerns, and flight operations were transferred to the JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base.
The first Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) units were activated at Misawa in October 1954, and Japanese Northern Air Defense Force units began operations in 1957. Misawa Air Base is now a joint installation, housing three U.S. military services (Air Force, Navy, and Army), as well as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The base is home to 5,200 U.S. military personnel, 350 U.S. civilian employees, and 900 Japanese national employees.
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Commercial operations at Misawa Airport were suspended in 1965
The Misawa Airport (IATA: MSJ, ICAO: RJSM) is located in Misawa, a city in the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. The airport shares its facilities and airport codes with the Misawa Air Base. The Misawa Air Base is a joint base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy.
The history of the airport and the air base dates back to the Meiji period when the area was used as a military cavalry training centre for the Imperial Army. In 1941, an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service base was established at Misawa, and it played a role in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The base was heavily bombed by the United States Navy in 1945 and subsequently occupied by the United States after World War II.
The first Misawa Airport was opened on January 11, 1952, with Japan Airlines providing scheduled services to Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Chitose Airport in Hokkaidō. However, commercial operations at Misawa Airport were suspended from March 31, 1965, due to pressure from the United States, citing safety and security concerns. This suspension lasted for a significant period of time, and during this time, flight operations were transferred to the nearby JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base.
The suspension of commercial operations at Misawa Airport in 1965 was a result of the United States' influence and their concerns over safety and security. This event highlights the complex dynamics of managing a shared facility between two nations, Japan and the United States, and the potential impact on civilian aviation. It also underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and security of military operations, which can sometimes take precedence over commercial activities.
The suspension of commercial operations had a significant impact on the region's connectivity and accessibility. With flights being transferred to the JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base, passengers and cargo operations had to adjust to the new arrangements. It is important to note that during this time, the region's transportation landscape may have been disrupted, and alternative means of travel or logistics had to be considered.
Misawa Airport eventually reopened on May 10, 1975, with a new terminal building completed in 1977. This marked a new chapter for the airport, and it has since continued to serve the region, playing a crucial role in connecting the local community to the rest of Japan and beyond.
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Misawa is the only combined joint service installation in the western Pacific
The Misawa Air Base is the only combined joint service installation in the western Pacific. It is located on the shores of Lake Ogawara in Misawa City, within the Aomori Prefecture of Japan. The 35th Fighter Wing is the host unit at the base. The base's mission is to "protect U.S. interests in the Pacific and assist in the defence of Japan with sustained forward presence, worldwide deployable forces, and focused mission support."
The 35 FW maintains its readiness by participating in Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercises, including RED FLAG-Alaska, COPE TAUFAN in Malaysia, and COMMANDO SLING in Singapore. The wing also takes part in other joint and bilateral exercises, such as NORTHERN EDGE in Alaska and KEEN SWORD in Japan. Additionally, the 35 FW has supported the War on Terror, including two deployments of F-16s and personnel for ENDURING and IRAQI FREEDOM in 2007.
The Misawa community is made up of active-duty Air Force, Navy, and Army members and their families. The base provides various amenities and services for its residents, including transportation, education, and recreational facilities. The DODDS Japan District Student Transportation Office offers school bus transportation for eligible students, with designated bus stops both on and off the base. The base also has a Student Transportation Office (STO) that assists with registration and bus pass issuance.
The Misawa Air Base has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was first established as an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service base in 1941. Lake Ogawara, located nearby, was reportedly used by the Imperial Japanese Navy for practising the attack on Pearl Harbor due to its shallow depth. The base was heavily bombed by the United States Navy in 1945 and subsequently occupied by the United States after Japan's surrender. The first Misawa Airport was opened on January 11, 1952, with Japan Airlines providing scheduled services to Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Chitose Airport in Hokkaidō. However, commercial operations were suspended in 1965 due to safety and security concerns raised by the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the airport code of Misawa Airport is MSJ. The official name of Misawa Airport is Misawa Air Base.
The Misawa Air Base has been used by the military since the Meiji period when it was used as a cavalry training centre for the Imperial Army. In 1938, the Imperial Army transformed Misawa into an air base for long-range bombers. The base was taken over by the Imperial Navy Air Corps in 1942 and was used for research and development.
Yes, there are. However, commercial operations were suspended from 1965 to 1999 due to pressure from the United States, citing safety and security concerns. As of 2025, Japan Airlines is the only airline that flies to Misawa Airport.
