On March 11, 2011, Matsushima Air Base, where Blue Impulse had been based in sustained heavy damage from the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Because on the day before, the aircraft and crew had traveled to Ashiya Air Base in Fukuoka to perform at the opening ceremony of the Kyushu Shinkansen, the team escaped damage from the disaster. While the crew continued to be based in Matsushima to aid in recovery efforts, they were required to travel to other bases for flight training while Matsushima underwent repairs.