MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The air station is slated to open its gates to host the 38th annual Friendship Day here May 5.
Friendship Day enables service members, civilians, and Japanese citizens to spend a day aboard the air station enjoying food, activities and an acrobatic air show.
Among the military aircraft available for display and fly-by demonstration will be the American F/A-18D Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, the Japanese Shin Meiwa US-1A and many modern and vintage aircraft.
There will also be static displays of extravagant luxury and sports vehicles from all over Japan for owners and car enthusiasts.
Slides, ball pits, mazes and other activities will be made available for children and their families to enjoy.
Approximately 275,000 visitors are expected to attend.
Because of the large number of people expected to attend, the Provost Marshal’s Office has outlined a list of safety tips.
Among the safety tips, PMO suggests guests and personnel involved in Friendship Day stay aware of surroundings, ask questions, don’t leave children unattended and find out where one can get medical aid if needed.
The traffic plan for Friendship Day is designed to allow many guests to walk safely aboard the air station.
The main gate will close at 5 a.m. to all modes of vehicles and guests will be granted access from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The main gate will then re-open for outbound foot traffic.
From 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the north gate will open for fourwheeled vehicles only and will support outbound traffic at 2 p.m.
The contractor’s gate will be open at that same time allowing tour buses and motorcycles as well as four-wheeled vehicles to enter the air station.
From 5-6 a.m. the Monzen gate will open for Marine Corps Community Service’s car display participants.
At 9 a.m. the gate will re-open for occupants residing in the Monzen housing area, missionessential duty personnel and special needs guests.
The old Monzen gate will open at 5 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. for station personnel and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel who work or reside aboard the air station.
At 1:30 p.m., the C gate will be designated for guests to exit the base via city buses.
For more information about Friendship Day, visit www.friendship-day.net.