Norman has arrived in Japan.

We are delighted to confirm that after a  9 hour flight Norman has safely landed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. This incredible feat of airmanship has taken him from the Philippines across the Philippine Sea to Japan, quite an extraordinary accomplishment seeing it was the first leg of the second part of this circumnavigation and the first flight of any distance that Norman has undertaken since last August!

This has been a fantastic start to the resumption of the circumnavigation, not only because of the length of the flight, 730 miles, but because he has arrived in a new country, the 17^th of the journey, and what a place to arrive!

Kadena Air Force Base

Norman will think he has missed Japan and arrived in California instead during his stay at Kadena. It just happens to be the biggest USAF air base in the Pacific and is home to PACAF (Pacific Air Forces).

The approach to the massive Kadena AFB

Kadena Air Base is the home to the Air Force’s largest combat wing—the 18th Wing—and a variety of associate units. Nearly 18,000 Americans and more than 4,000 Japanese employees and contractors make up Team Kadena.

It will seem strange to Norman, after spending so much time at the small grass airfield at Woodland Air Park where he shared the ramp with many microlights, to suddenly find himself parked amongst massive military transports and combat aircraft, including the brand new F-22 Raptor!

F-22 Raptors at Kadena

It has been a USAF base since 1945 and was instrumental during the Korean and Viet Nam wars. During the cold war it was home to the SR-71 Blackbird, Mach 3 reconnaissance plane as well as having a USN presence.

A Lockheed SR-71 mach 3 spy plane at Kadena in 1985

We are sure there will be a fantastic welcome for Norman in Kadena as Americans are renowned for the hospitality, and we expect Norman will be partaking of the odd burger or two.

We are still waiting to hear from Norman about tomorrows flight to Fukue Airport on Fukue-Jima Island but this will also be a marathon. Another 380-400 miles of open water lie ahead. As soon as we get the departure and arrival times we will let everyone know.

But for now, enjoy the American Air Force hospitality Norman, thousands of followers have been watching you tirelessly make your way across the ocean over the last 9+ hours and will no doubt be awaiting your departure tomorrow.

A great flight and a special one to get under your belt. The adventure is well and truly underway again.

The Gyrox Team

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