Aomori Airport in fact

and behind me you see some of the tractors coming

trucks cleaning the runway

Couple of months ago a friend told me,

something really special happens here in Aomori

and I came here for this report

Behind me a bunch of professionals clean the runway

like no other place in the world

They even have a name

White Impulse

It starts early in the morning as the division leader

gets a runway report

and orders from the airport

35 plows attack the runway with a clear mission

remove the snow so a flight can land

Aomori Airport's runway is 3000 meters long

but they also need to plow the apron and the taxi way

The cleanup seems like a choreographed like ballet of machines

Each plow or truck has its specific purpose

Together as a team,

they can clear the runway in 40 minutes

Meanwhile, in the air is JAL flight 141

a Boeing 737 from Tokyo inbound for Aomori in 30 minutes

White Impulse is on it

despite heavy snow and near white out conditions,

The runway is in plain sight again

Believe it or not, Aomori Airport has never had a cancelled flight

due to snow

Any cancellation happens on the other end of the flight

not here in Aomori

It's easy to be inspired watching the machines working together

something each member is proud of

The flight is just 15 minutes out now

Aomori Prefecture is entirely covered in snow

Everywhere except the airport

JAL flight 141 is on approach now

Has White Impulse completed the mission?

A final inspection requires ground crew

Any ice or debris that could threaten a landing

is shoveled and removed

and there they are for the last sweep and plow

White Impulse

Mission Complete

The team returns to home base

as another flight readies for departure,

now with a clear runway to the sky

The final truck has safely returned

The airplane has the go ahead to land

It's another perfect landing

thanks to the team

The fleet of machines standing tall and proud

saluting the pilots and passengers as the plane taxis by

White Impulse is standing by for the next mission

I hope you didn't forget about that other flight

Outbound to Osaka, another perfect takeoff

AIRPORT SNOWPLOW EQUIPTMENT OVERLOAD

I got a close look at the fleet of plows

all 38 of them

Each one is put to the test

from late October to March

during the snow season in Aomori

This one breaks up the snow and launches it to the side

This one sweeps the runway with bristles

that look like dried spaghetti

You can see that it's been used a lot this season

and the bristles need to be replaced

The waves of steel on this plow

jet out the runway snow

Each plow has a position in the formation and purpose

Real heavy machinery

The Antifreeze Sprayer is the longest in the fleet

I have a chance to check out this plow and sweeper

Let's have a look inside

Woah!

I'm not allowed to touch anything in here

I love the positioning high off the ground

You can just see about everything

and these seats bounce

so if you're going over some rough terrain,

which you will do with this sweeper and plow,

you're going to be doing it in style

Right -- there is a CB, lots of controls and buttons

joystick, there is even a computer panel,

a screen, LCD screen

Look really complicated

There's a lot to drive in each truck,

and each one requires a new skill to learn

Quite a view from 2 meters up

Although I couldn't drive one,

I left with that same snow plow high

I stopped by the White Impulse headquarters

for more insight on how they accomplished

a perfect record of runway plowing success

The team lives and breathes strategy

Part of their secrets lies in regular meeting

to improve their methods

Simulating the most challenging situations means

you'll be ready for it when they occur

This group of younger members are now veterans

Some are second generation White Impulse members

When your father was a member, expectations are very high

I asked about the job and what it means to be a member

A feeling of accomplishment

Learning to operate every machine

is an accomplishment every member respects

I sat down with the divisional leader

to talked to him about his experience

and what he does when it's not snowing

There doesn't seem to be a challenge White Impulse can't handle

I may not be a member,

but that doesn't mean I can't clear the runway

Aomori Airport has a curry rice challenge

White Curry

More like stew with seafood, more like snow

This isn't your ordinary spoon either

That's right, you've been given a shovel

Your mission should be clear

Clean the runway before your flight

A fun way to say goodbye to

Aomori's snow winter wonderland

and that's exactly what Aomori is during the winter

Aomori prefecture is in the very north end of Honshu Island

in the Tohoku region

Here's the airport and city

but the prefecture straddles the Pacific ocean and Sea of Japan

loaded with mountains and nature in the middle

and snow

Let's look at some of the attractions

Onsen. Natural hot springs are everywhere in Aomori

The five stage of hot spring relaxation.

And when the body gets too warm,

there is always the snow

better stick to the bath

Aomori has a special winter time train

It's an old style train with an experience going back in time

to stay warm

The train has stoves installed

inside the passenger compartment

The smoke goes out the chimney

As you can see, there is nothing ordinary about it

Try some hot grilled squid to pass the time

A winter ride that shouldn't be missed

Snow Blowers in the mountains create high walls

like here at Sukayu Onsen

Volcanic heat keeps this swamp thawed

and steaming hot

Skiing is popular in Aomori

and the Hakkoda Ropeway will take you to the top

You can also hike around the snow monsters

Trees caked with snow at the summit

and watch your step

Mt. Iwaki is a stratovolcano that last erupted in 1863

and nearby is an area dedicated to art

In the summer it's a rice field,

but during the winter months

It's this

Snow art

A technique taught here by master Simon Beck

He's been teaching locals to make their own snow art

and it is now become an attraction for good reason

It's beautiful

Departing Aomori Airport is also as important

to local staff as arriving

Here airline workers show their appreciation

and give their respect to the passengers with a bow

They see the plane off until it's out of sight

Winter adventures in Aomori are something to remember

but don't forget that it starts with that perfect landing

and beautiful runway ー and White Impulse

So whether it's a small propeller plane or

a massive jumbo jet,

flying into Aomori Airport is always an experience

so if you come to Japan in the winter,

and you fly here to Aomori, don't worry

White Impulse has your back

real or some sort of fake news

I head to Osaka to check out

the Highway through a Building story

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