Friendship Day

May 5th was Friendship Day at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan.  On that day the base was opened up to our host nationals to visit certain areas of the base, to see many static displays of Marine Corp and Japanese Air Defense planes and equipment.  It also includes an air show of many different planes, including Marine, Air Force and Japanese Air Defense and civilian stunt pilots.

The gates opened at 07:00 AM on Friday morning but we had people camped out overnight to be able to get in early.  By 6:00 AM there was already a huge crowd at the front gate ready to walk in.  This picture was taken from our bedroom window.  No sleeping in this morning!

Is was estimated that the crowds this year reached approximately 210,000 visitors.

No event like this is complete without of variety of food vendors both at the front gate and on the flight line near the static displays.

When you are hungry for pizza, there is no time like the present!

It was fun to see the static displays and to be able to get up close and personal with the aircraft that we see flying around us every day.

One day out of the year they roll out an original Japanese Zero from WWII.  If you notice the pock marks on the original hanger, that's damage from American firepower during WWII.

 Who doesn't love an F-18!

 A friend of ours flies the "Barbie Plane", VIP transport.

 Basic transportation here, a C130 cargo plane and its load master/crew chief.

 Basically, death from above courtesy of the United States Marines! The general's jet!

THE STAR OF THE SHOW, THE F35 FIGHTER, RECENTLY ARRIVED HERE!

The air show was good fun, with precision flying of the F-18s, the Osprey, the Japanese flight demonstration team, Blue Impulse and others!

Once the show was over, it was time for everyone to go home, and that was no easy task.  Living right next to the front gate we appreciated the help from the local Japanese police.

The last job by the visitors once they got off base was a get a cab to the nearest train station.  I estimated the queue for a taxi was about an hour wait.

At the end of the day, it was all good fun and a great air show.  A big "Bravo Zulu" for the outstanding job everyone at MCAS Iwakuni did.