Wednesday, February 28, 2001

By Wayne Specht
Misawa bureau chief

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — This northern Japan installation lays claim to a distinction many F-16 pilots wish would just go away.

Frequent snowstorms in winter and dense sea fogs in summer give Misawa the highest annual weather attrition rate for training sorties in Pacific Air Forces, say base officials.

"This year we are approaching one of the worst winters in Misawa’s history," said Col. Michael Lepper, commander of the 35th Operations Group responsible for flying activities of the 13th and 14th fighter squadrons based here.

Both fighter squadrons at midmonth have fallen 362 hours behind February’s target of 874 flying hours.

While February is historically the worst month to conduct training over ocean waters surrounding Honshu, this month hasn’t been as bad as December and January.

"We lost 21 percent of planned sorties in December compared to a normal attrition of between 15 and 17 percent," Lepper said.

January fared slightly better, he said, with 15 percent of sorties lost, close to average.

"We plan for 17 percent in February, but we’re at 12 percent as of midmonth," Lepper added.

Frequent snowstorms that roar in from the Sea of Japan coupled with persistent snow showers that can quickly reduce visibilities to near zero thwart the best laid training schedule.

"Anytime you fall behind, it’s hard to catch up," Lepper said.

Despite the drawbacks operating at a base subject to the whims of weather, Lepper said younger pilots assigned here learn aspects of the flying business they cannot get elsewhere.

"They get a different perspective from the changing weather conditions," he said. "It increases their air sense and their ability to make decisions."

One tricky aspect of wintertime flying is fuel management.

After completing training missions that average 75 to 90 minutes, pilots must be cognizant of fuel levels.

When snow showers move over the base and visibilities drop to zero, landings may not be possible. If fuel runs low, pilots may have to divert to a nearby base.

"Diverts go in cycles," Lepper said. "We had several in late November and early December, but not too many since then."

Weather forecasting has a lot to do with it. "Our (Air Force) forecasters use predictive modeling, and when weather starts occurring in a certain pattern, they get better predicting it," he said.

Practice dummy bomb drops at nearby Ripsaw Range also are subject to frequent cancellations by heavy snowfall and poor visibility. Lepper said pilots compensate by simulating attacks in other portions of their expansive training area over and adjacent to northern Honshu and Hokkaido.

"We get in tactics training without having to actually drop anything from the airplane," he said.

Pilots also take advantage of doing "ground" flying and emergency procedures in the F-16 simulator.

Until local weather conditions improve, usually by late March and early April, Misawa pilots try to make up lost sorties in a variety of manners.

"We have a possible deployment to Guam for Cope North, which would be a good opportunity to make up some lost sorties," Lepper said.

A dozen 13th Fighter Squadron aircraft left Misawa on Tuesday for Red Flag combat exercises in Nevada. Lepper said that when the exercise concludes, pilots may be able to make up more sorties over the Nevada desert before switching pilots with their sister 14th Fighter Squadron.

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