05-05-2025
US Marines' Iwakuni base in Japan draws 130,000 visitors to annual Friendship Day
IWAKUNI, Yamaguchi -- Aerial acrobatics and ground attractions drew some 130,000 people, according to organizers, to the annual Friendship Day festival at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni here May 4.
The event featured popular aerial demonstrations including a show by the White Arrows, a team of instructor pilots from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF)'s Ozuki Air Base in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The air show also featured formation flights over the base by aircraft stationed at Iwakuni, such as the F-35C stealth fighter jet and the CMV-22 Osprey transport aircraft, deployed in 2024 as part of the U.S. Navy carrier-based aviation unit at the base.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter assigned to Air Station Iwakuni demonstrated midair refueling with a KC-130 tanker aircraft. In addition, the event featured demonstration flights by a MSDF US-2 search-and-rescue amphibious aircraft and an EP-3 electronic warfare and data-gathering aircraft, both belonging to the MSDF's Fleet Air Wing 31, which shares the base with the Marines. Ground displays included a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey transport aircraft.
Speaking to reporters, base commander Col. Richard Rusnok said they were able to showcase the cooperative relationship between Japan and the United States.
