MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The morning began gloomily enough as overcast skies cast an ominous shadow over the flight line. It seemed Iwakuni’s April showers had decided to stick around an extra week, threatening to put a damper on the open house annually welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests aboard the air station.
The ceremonial ribbon was cut and gates opened at 8 a.m., however, and to the surprise of many the large crowd came pouring in. Some were literally running, their shoes pounding the puddled pavement as they anxiously sought to claim a spot to witness the air show or to get in line at one of the numerous vendors or aircraft on display.
It was a day of food, fun and flights as more than 200,000 visitors swarmed the air station for the 35th annual Friendship Day Monday.
The highlight of the event was the air show, which featured sound-barrier-shattering fly-bys and demonstrations courtesy of Japan Air Self-Defense Force US-2s, F-2s and F-4s, a U.S. Pacific Air Force F-16 and one of the air station’s own F-18s. Team Deepblues’ EXTRA and Sughoi single-prop planes wowed onlookers with their aerial acrobatics, and the E-Team skydivers’ high flying routine amazed young and old alike.
“Every year I come here by bus to see the show,” said Kelly Keiko, an Okayama resident and longtime Friendship Day attendee. “The American people are very happy and the Japanese people are very happy. It’s a good dynamic.”
The apron line featured a diverse offering of American and Japanese military jets and helicopters. Oohs, ahs, and the click of camera shutters could be heard as spectators climbed aboard many of the aircraft and posed for pictures with the aircrews. Attractions off the flight line included a car show at Crossroads Mall, the Rolling Thunder motorcycle procession and several Ultraman performances at the Sakura Theater. And those seeking snacks and souvenirs didn’t come away empty-handed; a sea of tents offered t-shirts, trinkets and everything from Japanese okinomiyaki to American-style steaks, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Seaman Leticia Sotelo, a hospital corpsman at the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, spent the day grilling and fundraising with co-workers from the 11th Dental Company, and said she felt Friendship Day couldn’t have gone any better.
“It was definitely a success,” Sotelo said. “We sold out of food and I personally got to interact with the locals.”
Hopefully they got a good taste of American culture as well, she added.