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Iwakuni 2023

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MCAS Iwakuni (Japan)

Iwakuni Friendship Day

15 April 2023

Report and photos by Reinier Schreurs

SHOW F 35 169683 RJOI 15Apr23 Reinier Schreurs 1150

After a hiatus of three years, Reinier Schreurs was once more able to visit the MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day in 2023. Unfortunately on the day he encountered lots of rain and low clouds, seriously hampering the possibility of making photographs. Not all flying displays were cancelled, as his exellent shot of F-35B 169683/VK-05 shows.

For the first time since 2019 MCAS Iwakuni opened it's gates again for Friendship Day. From 7 AM the public could enter the base for the 44th Friendship Day and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31. Despite the dismal weather, thousands of people entered the station to see the static displays and to enjoy the food and drinks that were on sale. Because of the rain and the low clouds some of the flying displays had to be cancelled.

All Japanese and USAF serials are confirmed. Due to the rain and bad light conditions (and the serial presentation), not all USN/USMC serials were confirmed (confirmed serials as ## in remarks). Also some photo captions found on the internet had conflicting serials.

Static
18-1213 C-2 402 Hikotai  
93-8547 F-2A 6 Hikotai  
42-8841 F-15J 305 Hikotai  
69-8701 F-35A 301 Hikotai  
29-8730 F-35A 302 Hikotai  
66-5943 T-7 12 Hiko Kyoikudan  
86-5947 T-7 12 Hiko Kyoikudan  
73484/VATH AH-1S 5 Taisensha Herikoputatai  
8450 SH-60K 22 Kokutai  
8659 MCH-101 111 Kokutai  
5511 P-1 1 Kokutai  
9173 EP-3 81 Kokutai/(811 Hikotai)  
6839 TC-90 202 Kyoiku Kokutai  
9901 US-2 71 Kokutai  
59-1462 KC-135R 909th ARS No unit mks, unit on engine covers
91-26402/ZZ HH-60G (33rd RQS)  
162176/21 C-2A VRC-30 DET 5 ##
168206 UC-12W Iwakuni ##
168065/QD-065 KC-130J VMGR-152 ##
168989/NF-600 E-2D VAW-125 ##, CAG c/s

SHOW FA 18 164679 RJOI 15Apr23 Reinier Schreurs 1150

The Japanese aviation community do like special colour schemes, probably making F/A-18D 164679/VE-21 of VMFA-115 the star of the static at MCAS Iwakuni. The inboard vertical tails of the Silver Eagles Hornet showed "End of the F/A-18", a reminder of things to come. VMFA-115 will be the next unit to transition to the F-35C. Reinier's picture again shows the appalling weather conditions.

164679/VE-21 F/A-18D VMFA-115 ##, Special c/s, "end of the F/A-18"
166864/NF-305 F/A-18E VFA-115 ##
166892/NF-114 F/A-18F VFA-102 ##
166911/NF-410 F/A-18E VFA-195 ##
168465/NF-212 F/A-18E VFA-27 ##
168893/NF-500 EA-18G VAQ-141 ##
169618/DT-07 F-35B VMFA-242 ##
169688/VK-10 F-35B VMFA-121 ##
167023/NF-711 MH-60R (HSM-77) ##
167031/NF-701 MH-60R (HSM-77) ##
168243/EP-00 MV-22B VMM-265 ##, CAG c/s
Hangar 2
8192 CH-101 Shirase Hikohan  
9204 U-36A 81 Kokutai/(812 Hikotai)  

SHOW U 36 9205 RJOI 15Apr23 Reinier Schreurs 1150

Some shelter could be found in one of the two JMSDF hangars, where three of the four U-36As of 81 Kokutai were parked. The Learjet is also one of the aircraft types that will be phased out in the near future by the three Self-Defense Forces. U-36A 9205 is missing its starboard engine for some light maintenance. For the more serious overhaul work on the U-36A, a company at Tokushima Airport is used, probably the location of the fourth Learjet of the fleet.

Hangar 3
9171 EP-3 81 Kokutai/(811 Hikotai)  
9201 U-36A 81 Kokutai/(812 Hikotai)  
9205 U-36A 81 Kokutai/(812 Hikotai)  
9908 US-2 71 Kokutai  
Flightlines and flying
41870/XIII UH-1J 13 Hikotai  
90-0812/WW ylo F-16CM 14th FS  
91-0422/WW red F-16CM 13th FS Demo
168066/QD-066 KC-130J VMGR-152 ##, Demo
168992/NF-602 E-2D VAW-125 ##, Demo
165228/VE-04 F/A-18C VMFA-115 ##, 2-ship demo
(165527)/VE-27 F/A-18D VMFA-115 2-ship demo
166869/NF-311 F/A-18E VFA-115 ##, CVW-5 Fly-over
(166921)/NF-106 F/A-18F VFA-102 CVW-5 Fly-over
168898/NF-504 EA-18G VAQ-141 ##, CVW-5 Fly-over
168464/NF-211 F/A-18E VFA-27 CVW-5 Fly-over
.../NF-300 F/A-18E VFA-115  
.../(NF)-306 F/A-18E VFA-115  
.../(NF)-312 F/A-18E VFA-115  
169683/VK-05 F-35B VMFA-121 ##, Demo
168628/ET-09 MV-22B VMM-262 ##
168632/ET-06 MV-22B VMM-262 ##
Flying only
13-8508 F-2A 6 Hikotai  
73-8542 F-2A 6 Hikotai  
Demonstration team
26-5690/1 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
06-5787/2 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
36-5697/3 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
26-5692/4 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
26-5686/5 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
16-5666/6 T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
06-5790/non T-4 11 Hikotai/Blue Impulse  
Elsewhere
9161 UP-3D 81 Kokutai/(812 Hikotai)  
91xx P-3 81 Kokutai  
9902 US-2 71 Kokutai  
990x US-2 71 Kokutai  
C-2A wreck/dumped  
F/A-18 dumped?  
Preserved
154638/WA-01 TA-4    

Credits: Internet, Reinier Schreurs

SHOW F 16 91 0422 90 0812 RJOI 15Apr23 Reinier Schreurs 1150

Another display which went ahead was that of the PACAF F-16 Demo Team. One F-16CM of each squadron is usually flown to the venue, Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni was no exception. Reinier pictured both Vipers on the flightline, making it easy to see which one of the two performed the actual demo.

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