On Oct. 18, Japanese nationals were seen scurrying across Misawa Air Base at 7 a.m. to secure seats next to the runway for unobstructed views of the Thunderbirds taking off and landing six hours later during the Misawa Air Show.

Is it fair that at the last moment American military vehicles complete with kids and families arrived and parked right in front of them, obstructing their view? The Americans may claim they were there for emergencies, but emergencies don’t involve 7-year-old kids. Just to show how totally thoughtless it was, had they parked 20 yards farther along they would have been at the edge of the spectators and I wouldn’t be writing this.

I thank the Thunderbirds for a great show. It’s too bad some of their best fans got shortchanged.

Tom EwingMisawa Air Base, Japan