Marking the 45th anniversary of our open house, the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day offers a full spectrum of entertainment with static displays on the ground and aerial performances. The joint open house will feature U.S. and Japanese aerial demonstration teams, a Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration, and civilian performers.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni takes pleasure in announcing performers who are planned to participate in the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, which will be held on May 5. Japanese Air, Maritime and Ground Self-Defense Force service members alongside U.S. Marines, Sailors, and Airmen look forward to welcoming you to our home away from home. The list is subject to change based on the availability of performers.

　　　　The event official website      – www.iwakuniairshow.com

　　　　The event official Facebook   – www.facebook.com/MCASIwakuniAirshow

　　　　The event HOTLINES　　    – Tel: 0827 (79) 6227 for General Information

                                       0827 (22) 3181 ext. 6180 or ext. 6181 for Specific Inquiries in Japanese language

Flight Displays:

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ceremonial flight –Iwakuni-based JMSDF aircraft will be pleased to demonstrate a ceremonial flight over their home community.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse – MCAS Iwakuni is excited to announce the participation of Blue Impulse, JASDF’s special aerobatic demonstration team, for Friendship day 2024. Through their astonishing aerobatics and precision-flying demonstrations, Blue Impulse draws great excitement from wonder-filled spectators and has won high praise from both inside and outside of Japan.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 – The Japan Air Self-Defense Force will be showcasing its F-2 multirole, single-engine fighter aircraft, which is popular for its air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. The F-2 is known for its incredible maneuverability, speed and power. This is an aerial demonstration every aviation enthusiast will want to see.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force airborne rappelling demonstration – As part of the U.S.-Japan friendship exchange, JGSDF units under the command of the 13th Brigade will participate in Friendship Day 2024. The JGSDF 17th Infantry Regiment, Camp Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, will be in attendance with their UH-1J multi-role helicopter. Spectators will be thrilled to watch JGSDF rangers rappelling down from the helicopter hovering in the air with a high level of skill and precision.

Team Fastrax - America’s Skydiving Team Fastrax is the largest professional parachute demonstration team in the world. Having performed thousands of exhibition skydives at numbers of locations at Doha, Qatar, Normandy, France, and here in Iwakuni, Japan, the team is excited to thrill the spectators again in the performance of diving in the sky, flying the bilateral colors of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. 

https://teamfastrax.com/

Yoshihide Muroya –Yoshihide Muroya gained experience flying in competitive aerobatic competitions such as the World Aerobatic Championships (WAC). The first Asian pilot joining in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009, and the first Asian pilot to win the world championship title in 2017. Yoshi now holds air shows throughout Japan to generate public awareness in aerobatics, and has helped raise the popularity of the sport not limited in his home country of Japan but in East Asia, and more into the world.

http://www.yoshi-muroya.jp/

Whiskey Papa – Flying for more than 25 years, Masahiro Utsumi has competed in many international aerobatic competitions. Based out of Kohnan Airport in Okayama, Whiskey Papa is a popular air-show pilot in Japan.

https://ja14wp.wixsite.com/home/

F-35B Lightning II – The F-35B, a 5th generation short-takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter, will be showcased by the MCAS Iwakuni based Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with ground static displays and a flight display.

F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet –The F/A-18 Super Hornet will be showcased by the MCAS Iwakuni based Carrier Air Wing FIVE with ground static displays and a flight display.

Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration – An action-packed demonstration that showcases the diversity and power of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The MAGTF is the organizational structure of the Marine Corps and is made up of four elements: command element, ground combat element, aviation combat element, and logistics combat element. During the MAGTF demonstration, audiences will be thrilled with extended capabilities of Marine Corps assets to perform in expeditionary environments as various aircraft provide close air support and aircraft insert troops on the ground.

Carrier Air Wing FIVE Flyover – Aircraft assigned to the Iwakuni based Carrier Air Wing FIVE, will have a flyover of a variety of their aircraft.

Ground Events and Static Displays:

On Friendship Day, MCAS Iwakuni will be filled with a full variety of military aircraft and equipment from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as well as the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.

Subject to change, we currently have numerous U.S. and Japanese aircraft static displays. The planned displays include, but are not limited to, the following: F-35B, P-8, EA-18G, F/A-18E/F, E-2, HH-60, SH-60, CH-53E, AH-1Z, UH-1Y, KC-130J, UC-12W, KC-135, A-10, MV-22B from U.S. military inventories. From Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft static displays will include the following: US-2, P-3, U-36A, MCH-101, F-2, F-15, T-5, TH-135, TC-90, SH-60K, AH-1S, AH-64D, C-2, and more.

Additionally, a performance by the JASDF Fancy Drill Team from Hofu Kita Air Base, Yamaguchi, will be held. JASDF aviation cadets will demonstrate their rifle techniques in synchronized movements while in formation.

For those who are interested in heavy-duty military gear, Friendship Day offers a unique opportunity to get a hands-on experience of the ground combat capabilities of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps. Iwakuni-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 will be displaying heavy equipment, utility equipment, and a wide variety of military vehicles.

We greatly value the shared spirit of friendship and cooperation that is evident every day in Iwakuni. It is our pleasure to open our gates to the Japanese community to further our cultural connection and showcase the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance present all year long aboard MCAS Iwakuni.

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