MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- What do karate, basketball and airplanes all have in common? The answer is Friday's friendship day between Navy Electronic Attack Squadron 128 and Japanese Fleet Training Support Squadron 91.
The afternoon event was initiated by the Japanese to exchange goodwill between countries, and was divided into officer and enlisted events, said Lt. Cmdr. Takekawa Sadafumi, a UP-3D Orion pilot and an organizer for the event.
"I think we had a good time to understand each other," said Sadafumi. "We did a squadron tour for officers, sports exchange for enlisted people, and some attractions, like the cake cutting ceremony, for all the people."
The pilots received a tour of VC-91 guided by Sadafumi. After a brief covering the structure and aircraft of the squadron, the officers toured the UP-3D first hand, examining it both inside and out.
When the tour was over, the officers arrived at the gym where the sports were just wrapping up. The games were volleyball, badminton and basketball.
"We had great competition with all the sports," said Master Chief Mark Curley, VAQ-128 command master chief. "First, we played against the Japanese. Then we mixed the teams up. No one kept track of who won what. It didn't matter, camaraderie and good times is what this day was all about."
Kendo and karate demonstrations came next, commanding everyone's attention. Resonating "hyaa's" and nimble kicks earned much applause.
The culminating event was the cake cutting ceremony. A special cake displaying the emblems of the two squadron's merging together was presented to the gathering.
"We (Japan Maritime Defense Force) think that the relationship between Japan and the USA is very important," said Sadafumi. "I think this event is a good chance to know about the USA."
"Despite the obvious language barrier, it went off without a hitch," Curley remarked about the event. "Everyone, both American and Japanese, had a great time spending the afternoon playing sports and interacting together."
After the cake, the Japanese officers received a tour of the VAQ-128 facilities. Later on, the pilots assembled in the officer's club, and gifts were exchanged.
Sadafumi looks forward to future exchange events. "I'd like to do a goodwill exchange event not only on the ground, but also a goodwill exercise in the air," he said.
No matter how much the friendship day increases in size and scope, it's primary purpose will remain the same.
"Exchanging goodwill," summed up Sadafumi.
"I think all of the Sailors got to see what being a good ambassador to our host country is all about," said Curley. "This cultural exchange will be something that all of us will remember for a long time."