Misawa Air Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Installation Type: Air Base
Status: Active

Overview

Misawa Air Base is located in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, in the Tohoku (northern Honshu) region of Japan, approximately 400 miles north of Tokyo. Home of the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa is the only U.S. air base in the northern Pacific region and serves as a critical hub for surveillance and defense of the northern approaches to Japan and the Korean Peninsula. The base operates the F-16CJ/DJ Fighting Falcon in the air superiority and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions. Misawa is also home to a significant intelligence community presence and is operated jointly with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), which operates the base alongside U.S. forces.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct air superiority and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) with the F-16CJ/DJ; provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in the northern Pacific; support Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) operations and bilateral defense with Japan.
Major Units: 35th Fighter Wing (host wing, F-16CJ/DJ); 13th Fighter Squadron; 14th Fighter Squadron; 35th Operations Group; 35th Maintenance Group; 35th Medical Group
Tenant Units: JASDF 3rd Air Wing (joint tenant, F-2 aircraft); Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAF Misawa) – U.S. Navy tenant; various intelligence community organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Misawa City (population approximately 40,000) – immediately adjacent; Hachinohe – approximately 35 km south; Aomori City – approximately 100 km southwest; Tokyo – approximately 650 km south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Misawa Airport (MSJ) – shares runways with the military base; limited domestic flights to Tokyo (Haneda)
Gate Access: Main gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; joint base status with JASDF creates shared-access protocols; off-base vehicle stickers (SOFA vehicle registration) required for driving on Japanese roads

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500
Family Members: Approximately 4,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 9,500

Key Facilities

Medical: 35th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to Hachinohe Red Cross Hospital or other Aomori Prefecture hospitals; medevac available to Yokota for complex cases; Japanese national health insurance also accessible for SOFA personnel
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities; base exchange is important given remote location
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Gosamer Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; outdoor recreation in Aomori Prefecture is outstanding – skiing, hiking, hot springs (onsen); Lake Ogawara adjacent to base for fishing and recreation; excellent Pacific seafood
Schools: Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Misawa Elementary and Sollars Elementary; Edgren Middle School; Edgren High School on or near base; DoDEA schools serve all military children
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; pet import requirements for Japan are extensive – begin planning at least 180 days before PCS
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based; SOFA legal issues handled through JAG

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; family housing in multiple neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is strongly recommended given limited English-language housing options in Japanese community
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; on-base housing is preferred and in high demand
Off-Post Housing: Japanese economy housing in Misawa City is available but limited; OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) applies; Japanese housing tends to be smaller than American standards; some families enjoy the cultural immersion experience of living downtown; housing office and real estate office on base assist
OHA Rate Reference: Check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Misawa OHA reflects costs in Aomori Prefecture

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 35th Fighter Wing sponsorship program; Japan PCS requires extensive advance preparation for vehicles, pets, and family members
In-Processing: 35th Wing in-processing; typically 3-5 days including Japan-specific SOFA briefings, vehicle registration, and ration card issuance
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; EFMP screening is mandatory before Japan PCS orders are issued; specialist availability at Misawa is limited; OCONUS EFMP must be carefully evaluated; Yokota AB and Japanese hospitals provide some specialist access

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid continental; very cold winters with heavy snowfall (average high 28F/-2C in January; significant snowpack); cool, pleasant summers (average high 79F/26C in August); spring is green and beautiful; typhoons rare but possible in late summer; Misawa is considered one of the snowiest CONUS-comparable military locations
Cost of Living: Moderate; Misawa City is relatively affordable by Japanese standards; exchange and commissary reduce costs significantly; OHA covers most housing costs; yen-dollar exchange rate affects costs
Nearby Attractions: Misawa City cultural activities and festivals; Lake Ogawara fishing and recreation; Towada-Hachimantai National Park (nearby) with stunning mountain and lake scenery; Hachinohe seafood and Port Festival; skiing at Juntendo Ski Resort; Aomori Nebuta Festival (August, world-famous lantern festival, 100 km away); Hirosaki Castle and Cherry Blossoms (April, famous nationwide); Tokyo accessible by Shinkansen bullet train (3.5 hours to Shin-Hachinohe, then Shinkansen)
Spouse Employment: On-base employment through NAF (Non-Appropriated Fund) jobs, AAFES, commissary, DoDEA, and contractor positions; limited off-base employment opportunities due to language barrier; remote work with U.S. employers is common; A&FRC assists

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA: U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) governs the status of U.S. personnel in Japan; SOFA covers legal jurisdiction, taxes, customs, vehicle registration, and other key issues
Host Nation Rules: Japanese laws and customs apply off-base; respect for local community is essential; noise complaints and off-base conduct are closely monitored; curfew policies are strictly enforced
Curfew: USFJ (U.S. Forces Japan) curfew for all personnel midnight-0500; liberty restrictions may apply to junior enlisted; curfew is strictly enforced and violations result in disciplinary action
Ration Card / Customs: Ration card system manages tax-free purchases; annual limits apply for alcohol and tobacco; customs declaration required when departing Japan with purchased goods; Japanese customs strictly enforces import/export rules
Vehicle Registration: SOFA vehicles must be registered with USFJ (JA plates); Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) required; Japanese driver’s license or SOFA license required; right-hand traffic; Japanese roads are narrow; mandatory base driver’s training before off-base driving authorization
Language and Culture: Japanese is the local language; English is limited outside the base; learning basic Japanese phrases greatly improves community relations; Japan has unique social customs (shoes off indoors, bowing, recycling rules); cultural adaptation is important for positive community relations
Currency and Banking: Japanese Yen (JPY); on-base banking (AAFES/Chase Bank or similar) available; ATMs available on base and in Japanese banks; exchange rate fluctuates; budget accordingly
Travel Restrictions: No travel restrictions within Japan for SOFA personnel; some areas near sensitive facilities require special approval; USFJ travel policies apply
Mail: APO AP address assigned; APO mail for personal shipments; DHL/FedEx available for international shipments; Japanese postal service available with postal address
Pets: Japan has strict rabies-free status; pets require extensive documentation including: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination series, rabies antibody titer test (FAVN), 180-day waiting period after titer test meets threshold, USDA-endorsed health certificate, import notification to Quarantine Station; process MUST begin at least 180 days before arrival to avoid lengthy quarantine; cats and dogs only (no exotic pets)

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.misawa.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/misawa-air-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MisawaAirBase