MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa City English Camp International Center students visited Misawa Air Base August 2.

The Misawa City Board of Education organizes the annual camp for students to sharpen their English and communication skills during summer break.

During the base visit, students had the opportunity to interact with Airmen and Sailors from Team Misawa. Host units included the 35th Security Forces Squadron, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Naval Air Facility headquarters and 35th Civil Engineer Squadron fire station.

While visiting various units across the base, the language campers had the opportunity to experience a piece of military life. At the 35th SFS, they watched working dogs and a taser demonstration. For many, they donned fire equipment for the first time at the fire station. During their exploration of the 35th LRS, they viewed the supply warehouse and cargo movement section and tried on individual protective equipment.

“The program is important because it gives the children a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes,” said Airman 1st Class Lanatae Brown, a 35th LRS logistics planner. “The students get to see equipment and tools that assist in getting aircraft off the ground and the logistics behind what keeps Misawa Air Base functioning.”

Out of the numerous places visited by the students, one moment stood out to Brown.

“My favorite part was seeing the children’s faces when they tried on the individual protective equipment,” stated Brown. “Being a part of tours like this makes me realize our contribution to the community and understand that our presence in Japan is deeper than just military engagements.”

The campers also walked away with an expanded worldview.

“After the tour, students expressed to me that they felt accomplished being in a new environment,” said Kyoko Hasegawa, the 35th Fighter Wing community relations specialist. “Some of the children have never been to the base, let alone spoken English to a foreigner. The kids loved being able to use their learned language skills.”

Photo Caption:

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Darion Dunaway, a 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron material management apprentice, helps a Misawa City English Camp student try on a helmet during a tour of the 35th LRS individual protective equipment issue section at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 2, 2018. The helmet occasionally accompanies mission-oriented protective posture gear. Personnel use MOPP gear to protect themselves from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environments. Students tried on the gear to understand what personnel wear in those situations.