On 4th August, JAAGA Misawa branch supported military members stationing at Misawa Air Base to participate Nebuta Festival 2007 held in Aomori city, which is the most famous summer festival in Northern Japan.　When we planned this program, we could not prepare large-size bus.　So we were afraid that we could support the program this year.　But Colonel O'Shaughnessy, Commander of 35th Fighter Wing (USAF Misawa AB), showed interest on the festival and arranged small-size bus for the festival.　Participants are as follow.

1, USAF :
　　Colonel & Mrs. O'Shaughnessy and child (35FW/CC)
　　Command Chief Master Sergeant and Mrs. Missel
　　Colonel Cabot (35Ops Group/CC)
　　Head of Public Affairs (35FW)
2, US Navy : 8 people
3, 10 High school students and 4 parents (Edgren High School at Misawa AB)

　　The typhoon No.5 was passing around Tugaru peninsula when we departed from Misawa, so all participants secretly prepared umbrellas and raincoats by themselves.　We didn't have rainfall at all, so all members recognized that Col. O'Shaughnessy was "Fine Weather Guy".　We could smoothly arrived at La.Plus Hotel in Aomori city earlier than estimated time.　After arriving there, members of Aomori International Volunteer Association (AIVA) took care of US members and supported dressing Nebuta Festival clothes. 　After changing clothes, they were invited to welcome reception hosted by AIVA.　The hall were fulfilled with Japanese, English and Korean language, it's very international.　They enjoyed very much pizza and cakes which JAAGA provided.　The reception was over and US members were divided two groups, spectator groups and Nebta dancing (Haneto) group.　Then spectator group moved to the best spectator area near Aomori City Hall.　They thoroughly enjoyed very splendid lantern floats and powerful Nebuta dancing.　Dancing group members looked so excited to dance to intense Nebuta rhythm.　Col. & Mrs. O'Shaughnessy didn't dance, but he would definitely join to dancing group next year, he said.　On our way homes, car traffic was so smooth that we could get Misawa at half past 10:00pm..　(In averrage it's past 12:00pm)　All participants looked so satisfied.
　　(Reported by Ozawa, head of Misawa branch)