Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 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. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis) - A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 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. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis)

Pemberton Aerosports executed a flag jump during the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and our Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally enriching experience that displays the mutual support that the U.S. and Japan share. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and provides food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Douglas Simons/Released) - Pemberton Aerosports executed a flag jump during the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and our Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally enriching experience that displays the mutual support that the U.S. and Japan share. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and provides food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Douglas Simons/Released)

Visitors wait in line to enter a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the Fleet Air Wing 31 annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allowed visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying performances from the Breitling Wingwalkers, Blue Impulse and much more. - Visitors wait in line to enter a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the Fleet Air Wing 31 annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allowed visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying performances from the Breitling Wingwalkers, Blue Impulse and much more.

Two Boeing Stearman aircraft with the Breitling Wingwalkers sit at the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 1, 2015. The Breitling Wingwalkers are slated to perform during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the JMSDF’s Fleet Air Wing 31’s annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first-ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allows visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying aerial performances and static displays. - Two Boeing Stearman aircraft with the Breitling Wingwalkers sit at the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 1, 2015. The Breitling Wingwalkers are slated to perform during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the JMSDF’s Fleet Air Wing 31’s annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first-ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allows visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying aerial performances and static displays.

Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, an MV-22 Osprey squadron stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, attended the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base Air Show, Dec. 1, 2013. The air show was the first public display of an Osprey in Mainland Japan. Prior to the air show, VMM-265 hosted a media relations event Nov. 30, aboard the JASDF installation. The air show is an annual event hosted by the JASDF in Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Benjamin Pryer/Released) - Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, an MV-22 Osprey squadron stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, attended the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Air Base Air Show, Dec. 1, 2013. The air show was the first public display of an Osprey in Mainland Japan. Prior to the air show, VMM-265 hosted a media relations event Nov. 30, aboard the JASDF installation. The air show is an annual event hosted by the JASDF in Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Benjamin Pryer/Released)

A Japanese spectator takes a photo of Blue Impulse during Friendship Day 2012 here, May 5, 2012. Friendship Day brought more than 285,000 spectators aboard the station to partake in static displays,::r::::n::American and Japanese vendors and a day-long air show. - A Japanese spectator takes a photo of Blue Impulse during Friendship Day 2012 here, May 5, 2012. Friendship Day brought more than 285,000 spectators aboard the station to partake in static displays,::r::::n::American and Japanese vendors and a day-long air show.

An AV-8B Harrier demonstrates its vertical/short takeoff and landing manuevers in front of thousands during the annual Friendship Day air show here May 5. The AV-8B Harrier hovered in front of the spectators, performing aerial maneuvers which most fixed wing aircraft cannot. Within the first hour of the gates’ opening, thousands of spectators flooded the station to try to obtain the best seats on the flight line for the air show. Attractions included 24 static aircraft displays, typical American cuisine, live music and the main attraction, the air show. Read the full story on pages 6 and 7. - An AV-8B Harrier demonstrates its vertical/short takeoff and landing manuevers in front of thousands during the annual Friendship Day air show here May 5. The AV-8B Harrier hovered in front of the spectators, performing aerial maneuvers which most fixed wing aircraft cannot. Within the first hour of the gates’ opening, thousands of spectators flooded the station to try to obtain the best seats on the flight line for the air show. Attractions included 24 static aircraft displays, typical American cuisine, live music and the main attraction, the air show. Read the full story on pages 6 and 7.