Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni takes pleasure in announcing the performers who are planned to participate in the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, which will be held on Sunday, May 4. 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.

Marking the 46th 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.

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.

JMSDF White Arrows – The official acrobatic team of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will join in our air show for the first time. Established in Oct. 2018, the team is comprised of flight instructors who educate future aviators for the JMSDF at Ozuki Air Base, Yamaguchi. The team will showcase special acrobatic flight techniques featuring the Fuji T-5 aircraft.
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/atrc/custom1.html

JMSDF US-2 – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s flying boat US-2 is the face of JMSDF Iwakuni. Designed to provide support for search and rescue operations at sea and on remote islands, US-2 requires only one-fourth of the distance that commercial airliners need for takeoff and landing. JMSDF will display a full-fledged demonstration of its capabilities with a short takeoff, muscle climb, and a slow but smooth flight. All of these capabilities are proudly maintained by JMSDF to save lives in austere aquatic environments.

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 2025. 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 such as Doha, Qatar, Normandy, France, and here in Iwakuni, Japan, the team is excited to thrill the spectators again in the performance of diving through the sky while 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 only in his home country of Japan, but also in East Asia, and the rest of the world.
http://www.yoshi-muroya.jp/

Whiskey Papa – Flying for more than 30 years, Masahiro Utsumi (Masa) performs more than 100 aerobatic flights a year. Masa has been performing in air shows in Japan since 2009. Whiskey Papa keeps spectators and aircraft enthusiasts entertained with his signature super-slow roll and vertical maneuvers. Masa always makes time to speak with fans, sign autographs, and take photos after his show.
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 demonstration.
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet –The F/A-18 “Rhino” will be showcased by the MCAS Iwakuni based Carrier Air Wing FIVE with ground static displays and a flight demonstration.

Carrier Air Wing FIVE Flyover – Aircraft assigned to the Iwakuni-based Carrier Air Wing FIVE will perform a flyover with a variety of their aircraft. Our newest member of Iwakuni family, the F-35C stealth fighter and CMV-22 Osprey, will be participating in this year’s Friendship Day- with both static displays and a flyover.

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 aerial insert of troops on the ground.

Pacific Air Forces' F-16 Demonstration Team – Based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and flying the Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon, the team will demonstrate the breathtaking power and maneuverability of the F-16 to the delight of aviation enthusiasts everywhere. Through exceptional precision in the air, they have been helping promote positive relations between the U.S. and nations across the Western Pacific.

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, F-35C, EA-18G, F/A-18E/F, E-2, CH-53E, AH-1Z, UH-1Y, KC-130J, UC-12W, CMV-22B from U.S. military inventories. The Japan Self-Defense Force aircraft static displays will include the following: US-2, P-1, OP/EP/UP-3, MCH-101, F-2, F-15, TH-135, TC-90, SH-60K, AH-1S, AH-64D, C-2, KC-767, CH-47J, 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. Heavy equipment, utility equipment, and a wide variety of military vehicles and tactical gears will be displayed.

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.