Marking the 41st anniversary of our open house Friendship Day, the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2017 offers a full entertaining experience with an air show in the sky and static displays on the ground. The joint open house will feature both military and civilian jumpers, U.S. and Japanese aerial demonstration jet teams and a Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration. Guests attending the event will have the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime air show.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni takes pleasure in announcing performers who confirmed participation at our JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, which will be held on May 5. Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers as well as Japanese Air, Maritime and Ground Self-Defense Force service members look forward to welcoming you at our home away from home.

The event official website – friendship-day.net
The event official facebook – www.facebook.com/FriendshipDayIwakuni
The event HOTLINE – Tel: 0827(79) 6227

AIR SHOW:
Ric Peterson – An award winning broadcast journalist from Canada, who has written and narrated several television documentaries on aviation. Known as a radio/TV host for over 30 years, he is the voice of major air shows such as Fleet Week San Francisco and Sanicole Airshow in Belgium.
http://www.ricpeterson.ca/

Evolve Aerosports – The first air show demonstration team to combine wingsuit skydiving with aerobatics in 2007. Rex Pemberton will perform everything from gyroscopic maneuvers to extremely complex and technical maneuvers. From 10,000 feet, the jumpers will thrill spectators with their Squirrel Suit Jump.
http://www.sportsgal.com/

Yoshihide Muroya – Having held some 170 air shows over 12 years, Yoshi has accumulated real-time experience from world famous aerobatic competitions such as the “WAC” World Aerobatic Championships. As the first Asian pilot in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009, Yoshi has helped raise the popularity of the sport in East Asia, particularly in his home country of Japan.
http://www.yoshi-muroya.jp/

Whiskey Papa – Flying for more than 20 years, Masahiro Utsumi has competed in many international aerobatic competitions. He is a popular air-show pilot in Japan who has a Federal Aviation Administration Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card level 1- Unrestricted.
https://ja14wp.wixsite.com/home

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force airborne rappelling demonstration comes back to Iwakuni. Additionally, more of U.S.-Japan inventories showcase their aviation capabilities and assets from the sky, along with scheduled arrivals and departures from the commercial airport in Iwakuni.

The Golden Knights – For the second time, the air station is honored to welcome the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army official aerial parachute demonstration team. The demonstration and competition parachute team entices audiences with their midair performance. The Golden Knights are one of only three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams.

Blue Impulse – JMSDF and MCAS Iwakuni are thrilled to welcome back Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s very own aerobatic demonstration team, Blue Impulse. Blue Impulse has been delighting fans for over 50 years with its high-speed, aerobatic maneuvers. Fans will witness an action-packed show, filled with music and dynamic, midair maneuvers.

MV-22 Level III demonstration –JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day air show will amuse audience members with an air show demonstration that showcases the maneuverability of the MV-22 Osprey. The level III demonstration is one of the most sought-after aerial demonstrations offered by the U.S. military. Demonstrations are performed by the same aircraft and Marines who train and deploy in support of real-world contingencies. For this reason, Headquarters Marine Corps selects only a handful of events to receive the coveted demonstration.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration – An action-packed demonstration that showcases the diversity and power of the Marine Corps. The MAGTF is the organizational structure of the Marine Corps and is made up of four elements: command, ground combat, aviation combat and combat service support. During the MAGTF demonstration, audiences will be thrilled with close air support, simulated aerial refueling and extended capabilities of Marine Corps assets to perform in expeditionary environments.

Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team – based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, promotes positive relations between the U.S. and nations across the Western Pacific. Flying the Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon, the team demonstrates the breathtaking power and maneuverability of the aircraft to the delight of aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

US-1A – JMSDF will be showcasing its US-1A aircraft, which is known for its STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capability. The US-1A is popular for its search and rescue missions and has the ability of water landing and takeoff. The US-1A is scheduled to be decommissioned from the service within the current Japanese fiscal year, and the very last flight demonstration of the US-1A flying boat will be performed at the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day.

AIRCRAFT STATIC DISPLAYS/GROUND STATIC DISPLAYS:
Subject to change, we currently have numerous U.S. and Japanese aircraft static displays, to include: F/A-18C/D, AV-8B, MV-22, F-35B and KC-130J from U.S. Marine Corps III Marine Expeditionary Force, KC-135, UH-1, F/A-18E, E-2D and furthermore, A-10 and F-16 from U.S. forces in Korea. Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft will include U-36A, F-15, MCH-101, SH-60K, KC-767 and more. Interested in professional, heavy-duty military gears? It is also a precious opportunity to get first-hand experience of Ground Combat Element capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps. Iwakuni-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 offers heavy equipment and utilities equipment, Expeditionary Field Kitchen and a wide variety of military vehicles. Marine tactical units from Okinawa will serve as a great addition and will share their proficiencies in tactics on the ground. Did you know Marine Corps is capable of its own aviation command and control? Marine Air Control Squadron 4 provides aerial surveillance and air traffic control as well as navigational assistance to friendly aircraft. Visitors are welcome to see and learn what Marines do to ensure the safety of the pilots, aircrew and aircraft.

We look forward to seeing you at the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2017!