Sabishiro (Miss Veedol) Airfield

Completion of purpose. The airfield was not a permanent facility but a temporary, compacted sand runway on Sabishiro Beach. It was specifically prepared for the 1931 trans-pacific flight attempt by the Miss Veedol. Once the aircraft departed, the airfield's purpose was fulfilled, and it ceased to exist as an operational runway.

The site is now a public park and memorial on Sabishiro Beach (Sabishiro Kaigan). It is a designated historical site featuring the prominent 'Miss Veedol Monument' to commemorate the 1931 flight. The area is a tourist destination and a cherished symbol of local history and international friendship. The nearby Misawa Aviation & Science Museum houses a full-scale replica of the Miss Veedol aircraft and provides extensive exhibits on the historic flight.

The airfield's sole and profound historical significance is being the departure point for the world's first successful non-stop, non-refueled trans-pacific flight. On October 4, 1931, American aviators Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, Jr. took off from this beach runway in their Bellanca CH-400 Skyrocket aircraft, the 'Miss Veedol'. To conserve fuel and increase range for the record-breaking attempt, they intentionally jettisoned their landing gear after takeoff. After a grueling 41-hour and 13-minute flight covering approximately 5,500 miles (8,850 km), they successfully belly-landed in Wenatchee, Washington, USA. This pioneering flight was a major milestone in aviation history and established a lasting bond of friendship between the cities of Misawa, Japan, and Wenatchee, Washington, which are now sister cities.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The site is a protected historical monument and a public beach. Modern aviation needs for the Misawa region are fully served by the nearby Misawa Air Base (IATA: MSJ, ICAO: RJSM), a joint Japan Air Self-Defense Force and United States Air Force facility. Reopening the site as an airfield is not feasible, necessary, or desired, as it would destroy a significant cultural and historical landmark.