While deployed on Exercise Bushido Guardian 25, members of 3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) visited a school that provides English classes to the Misawa community in north-east Japan.

The Tohoku Academy of Foreign Language offers children and adults the opportunity to develop skills in English conversation – and the students were keen to learn more about Australian culture from the visiting RAAF aviators.

“We feel very honoured to welcome the Australian Air Force members to our school – it is something we have all really been looking forward to,” English teacher Roselyn Casamana-Leyva said.

“Having the United States Air Force (USAF) based at Misawa Air Base means that the local community has a strong understanding of American culture, but the students were very keen to learn more about Australian culture and language.”

RAAF members engaged in small groups with the students, not only to share Australian culture but also to learn from their Japanese hosts at the school.

Aviators played games with the younger children, while more developed conversation ensued in the adult class.

'Deploying to Japan is an unforgettable experience, and I am building great memories whilst deployed here.'

For Sergeant Lauren Weymouth, the visit provided a closer glimpse into life in Japan, and Misawa in particular.

“The students and teachers were very welcoming and it was great to have this interaction at such a personal level,” Sergeant Weymouth said.

“Deploying to Japan is an unforgettable experience, and I am building great memories whilst deployed here.”    

Exercise Bushido Guardian 25 is a trilateral air combat exercise involving the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, USAF and RAAF.

It provides the opportunity to build experience in conducting flying operations at bases located away from Australia, in flying in unfamiliar airspace with different airspace control procedures, and in developing RAAF F-35A Lightning II capability.

The comprehensive and growing defence relationship between Australia and Japan is underpinned by the shared commitment to regional security and enormous potential for future cooperation.

Community engagement events such as the visit to Tohoku Academy of Foreign Language help strengthen the relationship between Australian and Japanese people.