MCAS Iwakuni (Japan)
Iwakuni Friendship Day
15 April 2023
Report and photos by Reinier Schreurs
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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 9173 |
EP-3 |
81 Kokutai/(811 Hikotai) |
|
| 6839 |
TC-90 |
202 Kyoiku 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 |
## |
| 168065/QD-065 |
KC-130J |
VMGR-152 |
## |
| 168989/NF-600 |
E-2D |
VAW-125 |
##, CAG c/s |
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) |
|
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) |
|
| Preserved |
| 154638/WA-01 |
TA-4 |
|
|
Credits: Internet, Reinier Schreurs
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.
