The Fourth Annual Snow Bowl flag football tournament was held at Misawa Air Base Mar. 4.

Four Navy and four Air Force teams competed in the tournament, which is usually played on a snow-covered field due to Aomori Prefecture's heavy snow fall.

This year's tournament was played on an uncharacteristically cloudless, 45 degree day.

"It didn't quite live up to the Snow Bowl name today," said Yeoman 1st Class Alonte Horn. "But, I don't think anyone's complaining about playing some flag football in this beautiful weather."

The event ran smoothly and on schedule thanks to the diligent planning and execution by Damage Controlman 1st Class Timothy Larsen, this year's event coordinator.

"We like to get everyone out here having fun and throw some competition into it between the branches," said Larsen. "It's great to get some interaction between us, because if there ever was an emergency in this part of the world we would be working as a single team to solve it."

The Air Force's 35th Fighter Wing (FW) Medical Group beat the Air Force Maintenance Group team to win this year's championship game.

"This is a great event to do during the winter and we always love to compete with the Navy," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael George, attached to the 35th Fighter Wing Medical Group. "This is a great opportunity to meet and get to know our Navy counterparts here in Misawa. It's because of events like this that we are able to get out here and know each others' names and recognize each other at the commissary considering we don't work together on a daily basis."

Each game lasted 30 continuous minutes and was played on an 80-yard field.

Misawa's Navy Ball Committee raised money by providing sodas, hot dogs, and Frito chili pie for donations during the event.

The first Snow Bowl tournament was organized by Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa in 2013. NAF Misawa Sailors have kept their roles as key organizers for the tournament ever since.

Many sporting and athletic competitions are held on Misawa Air Base throughout the year.

"There's always a rivalry between the branches," said Staff Sgt. John Wyatt, attached to the 35th Fighter Wing Medical Group. "It's always fun to get a win though and I am looking forward to defending the trophy next year."

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, visit www.navy.mil/.