Friendship Day brings 200,000 to Iwakuni

Stars and Stripes ^ | May 7, 2008 | Travis J. Tritten

[Jet Jaguar]

Despite poor weather early on, the public flocked to see airplanes and eat food at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s annual Friendship Day on Monday.

The event is a rare opportunity for Japanese citizens to visit the base, view military and civilian aircraft and see exhibition flights.

This year, about 200,000 attended the day-long event, according to the provost marshal’s office.

There was some morning sprinkles but the weather began to break around lunchtime, said Iwakuni spokesman Lance Cpl. Noah Leffler.

Gates opened at 5 a.m. for the event and the weather was overcast. But by noon, about 93,000 people had entered the air station, Leffler said.

Morning attractions included a flyover by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s F-2 and F-4 fighters, he said.

“It was the first time the F-2 has done a close fly-by of the base,” Leffler said.

There also were stunt planes and aerial acrobatics during morning performances, he said.

After lunch, there was a skydiving exposition by the E-Team Parachute Jump Team, said Cpl. Lendus B. Casey.

“About three to four came down on the flight line,” he said. “The people really seemed to enjoy it.”

The event also featured a Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally and a car show.

“The weather was pretty good throughout the event,” Casey said. “After [the morning clouds], it cleared up and was really nice.”

[Jet Jaguar]

[MomofMarine]

My son is stationed at MCAS Iwakuni. My grandsons were able to participate in this special occasion. Thanks for the post.

[tommix2]

There is a famous very old stone arch bridge across the river at Iwakuni. It was built hundreds of years ago and is quite an engineering feat.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Kintai Bridge spans the Nishiki River, is built of wood with stone piers and has been rebuilt several times, the last time being in 2004. The original, built in 1673, was destroyed in a flood and the bridge has been destroyed several times subsequently by typhoons and floods.

[tommix2]

Kintai Bridge spans the Nishiki River, is built of wood with stone piers

Thank you for correcting me about this bridge. I have been to the Marine Corps base at Iwakuni many times but that was many years ago and my memory failed me. Thank you for finding the picture of the bridge. I have save it and printed it to put on my wall.