Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hosted the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, May 5, 2017.
Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an elevating experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan.
Performances included the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, Whiskey Papa Skywriting, Evolve Aerosports Squirrel-Suit jump, and demonstrations of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force rappelling team, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, MAGTF, Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 demonstration team and Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse.
During the MAGTF demonstration, onlookers observed close air support, simulated aerial refueling and the extended capabilities of Marine Corps assets that are designed to perform in expeditionary environments.
The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft. Some displays included F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornets, an MV-22B Osprey and F-35B Lightning II from the U.S. Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and a KC-135 Stratotanker from U.S. forces in Korea. Also, among the exhibits were the U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II, C-1, A6M Zero, and MCH-101 from the JSDF, along with WACO biplanes and Cessna airplanes from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Japan.
