 Most viewed - Yokota Air Base Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2009 横田基地日米友好祭 |
During Aug. 22-23, 2009, Yokota Air Base held its annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival. I went on the 23rd, arriving at about 11 am. The base was open through Supply Gate No. 5 which is near Ushihama Station on the JR Ome Line.826 views
|
|
Interesting sign at the gate.284 views
|
|
JR Ushihama Station platform. Fewer people than I expected, to my relief.277 views
|
|
Exit at Supply Gate No. 5, was terribly crowded. The gate wasn't the problem. The problem was the street traffic signal beyond. We had to wait for it to turn green several times. They should've just closed the road to traffic.243 views
|
|
Mrs. Yokota?? Hmm, maybe she's married to a Mr. Yokota. Actually, she's Heather Fife, wife of Maj. Kurt Fife, 36th Airlift Squadron,like an ambassador for Yokota. Read about her here.234 views
|
|
The Japanese loved to take pictures with the Americans.223 views
|
|
Here's Supply Gate No. 5 at Yokota Air Base. It looked like a long wait here too, but it went smoothly.203 views
|
|
K-9 Unit posing for photos with a German Shepherd. That's a big doggie.201 views
|
|
Ushihama Station is small, and certainly not used to handling the huge crowd of people trying to get out of the station. The train platform was jammed with people. It took maybe 10 min. to get out.185 views
|
|
Massive crowd going through the gate at Yokota Air Base. We were advised not to bring large bags. I only had a waist pouch. They inspected large bags and rucksacks. Foreigners had to show a photo ID. Of course, I look Japanese, so no ID check for me.182 views
|
|
Here we are in Yokota Air Base passing by numerous hangars.180 views
|
|
Poster for the Yokota Air Base Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2009. Free admission. You had to be either a Japanese or American citizen. (I happen to be a US citizen.)178 views
|
|
From the train station, just follow the crowd. I don't know why they didn't close the road to traffic and let us (a much larger number of people than those in cars on the road) walk to the base. The sidewalks are very narrow.177 views
|
|
Lotta local people also came by bicycle.176 views
|
|
Layout of the place. Lots of food booths and souvenir stalls.175 views
|
|
Hangar 15175 views
|
|
Hangar 15 had an indoor stage and food booths. A good place to sit and rest. It wasn't so hot, like I remembered before. I was told that this hangar is normally used for the C-130.171 views
|
|
Basketball court170 views
|
|
The festival's main area was lined with food booths and PEOPLE!! This is a lot more people than I had ever seen at this festival, and this was my third time. About 100,000 people came this day. Looked more like 500,000.170 views
|
|
Hangar 15169 views
|
|
|
|
The entertainment when I was there was the "Tanabata Dancers." Good to see these military wives embracing Japanese culture. Tanabata is the star festival for which host city Fussa is also famous.169 views
|
|
A long line to take pictures with a dog.168 views
|
|
Entertainment schedule. There was an indoor stage inside Hangar No. 15 and an outdoor stage. Plus airborne demos.164 views
|
|
Dunking contest. Hey, where's the bikini girl?163 views
|
|
They even had a race car display. They must've been happy that it didn't rain. There was some cloud cover, so it wasn't an unbearably hot day.162 views
|
|
Fighter pilots always look quite intelligent. A college degree is required.162 views
|
|
Many food booths had long lines. Sasebo Burgers here.161 views
|
|
160 views
|
|
An American icon, SPAM.158 views
|
|
Toilets, both American and Japanese style. They had many portable toilets on hand. And they were busy all day long.158 views
|
|
Girl in yukata kimono posing with military persons in uniform in front of the C-130.157 views
|
|
One food booth was "Sons of Hawaii," run by people from Hawaii. Maybe they should change their name to "Sons and Daughters of Hawaii" cuz I saw mostly daughters. BBQ pork sticks and cupcakes. How come neva have Haw'n food??156 viewsKalua pig, poi, lomi-lomi salmon, and haupia. C'mon guys, bring out da real Hawaiian food. (If you guys really from HI.)
|
|
T-shirts156 views
|
|
Cub Scout T-shirts, better design.156 views
|
|
The black Camaro was on sale.154 views
|
|
Crowd going home. This was around 4:30 pm. There were still people entering the base, probably for the fireworks later in the evening. But I went on to Mitaka to see the Awa Odori.154 views
|
|
Hokusai ukiyoe on the tail of a Cessna.153 views
|
|
Hot rods151 views
|
|
Hummer151 views
|
|
F-22 Raptor, the plane that Japan wants, but US bans its export. As a US and Japanese taxpayer, I paid a part of the cost of all the planes on display. Doesn't that make me a part owner?150 views
|
|
People could also sit and rest inside the C-5 Galaxy.150 views
|
|
Train for kids plied between the gate to the main festival site.149 views
|
|
Fightin' Samurai T-shirt148 views
|
|
147 views
|
|
I'm not an expert at military aircraft. I can only tell you the names of the most famous ones.147 views
|
|
F-22 Raptor, the stealth fighter. They had two of them on display. They came from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Next time, I'll ask them what it takes to become a stealth fighter pilot.147 views
|
|
Thanks to all who made it possible. Make no doubt, I am a proud American (from Hawaii), and always happy to see activities and events promoting better friendship and relations between the US and Japan.147 views
|
|
A giant food court on the tarmac. Good idea to bring something to sit on. Lucky that it wasn't a bright sunny day. Otherwise, the tarmac would be like a frying pan.146 views
|
|
This one stood out, like a swank sports car. Looks like a fast critter.146 views
|
|
This plane, they allowed people to look inside the cockpit. A long line for this.146 views
|
|
F-16 Fighting Falcon144 views
|
|
The pilots or staff were on hand selling patches, T-shirts, etc. 144 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
|
Would you believe an ambulance made its way through the food court?? People had to get up and make room.142 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force Kawasaki C-1142 views
|
|
Inflatable rides for kids, a long line as well. Very important to have something for kids. Lotta families came to the festival.141 views
|
|
On the right side, were mostly fighter planes.141 views
|
|
Planes with the familiar red dot belong to Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Japan Air Self Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 fighter.141 views
|
|
On the left side were mostly helicopters and cargo aircraft.140 views
|
|
Besides Yokota, these planes came from various places such as Kadena (Okinawa) and Misawa (Aomori) Air Bases.140 views
|
|
140 views
|
|
Inside the C-17 Globemaster III. I could almost smell the Hawaiian air. A few people from Hawaii were inside the plane selling souvenirs, greeting people with "Aloha!"140 views
|
|
Climb up to see the cockpit. "Wow, awesome!"139 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force F-4 Phantom139 views
|
|
F-22 Raptor, the stealth fighter. I thought the plane was black, but they are dull gray.138 views
|
|
This baby can carry a lotta stuff. It can swallow a helicopter whole. Can you believe the C-5 has been in service since 1969? That's 40 years ago! Happy birthday!138 views
|
|
Inside the C-5 Galaxy, selling T-shirts, "Size does matter."138 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy crew138 views
|
|
Some time later, the three C-130 planes dropped several men in parachutes.137 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy transport plane was fully open for public viewing. We could just walk through the plane's cargo hold. No lines of people.137 views
|
|
People also lined up to sit in the cockpit of the C-17 Globemaster III. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to line up and see the cockpit of any of the planes.137 views
|
|
Torii at Yokota Air Base.137 views
|
|
Outdoor stage had more entertainment.136 views
|
|
F-15 Eagle fighter136 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy transport plane, one of the largest aircraft in the world. One of my favorites.134 views
|
|
This C-5 Galaxy came from Travis Air Base in California. Its gaping mouth open for visitors. I like the design of this plane. It's nice.134 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy engine134 views
|
|
|
When you walk further down, you see the static displays of miltary aircraft. 133 views
|
|
133 views
|
|
|
After a job well done, the three C-130s return to Yokota Air Base.133 views
|
|
Torii at Yokota Air Base. I remember that there was a control tower back here. Not there anymore. In fact, I couldn't find the control tower anywhere.133 views
|
|
132 views
|
|
131 views
|
|
131 views
|
|
C-130 on the runway to take off for an airborne demo.131 views
|
|
Next to the C-5 Galaxy was the second largest plane on display: The C-17 Globemaster III. This plane came from Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii.131 views
|
|
Side view of the C-5 Galaxy's front end. The closest thing we have to Thunderbird 2.130 views
|
|
Next to the C-17 Globemaster III was this refueling plane called the KC-135 Stratotanker made by Boeing.130 views
|
|
P-3 Orion129 views
|
|
On the farthest end of the festival site were the two biggest planes on display. The C-17 Globemaster III (left) and C-5 Galaxy (right).129 views
|
|
The C-5 Galaxy has 28 wheels.129 views
|
|
Men in parachutes heading toward Yokota Air Base. They landed on the runway area.128 views
|
|
Long lines almost everywhere.128 views
|
|
128 views
|
|
This strongman pulled a bus loaded with kids.128 views
|
|
Pilot's name127 views
|
|
AWACS plane127 views
|
|
Three C-130 Hercules cargo planes start to take off one after another for an airborne demo.127 views
|
|
Floor of the C-5 Galaxy, dotted with eyelets for hooks or ropes to secure the cargo.127 views
|
|
People lined up to sit in the cockpit of the Huey helicopter.127 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III126 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy cargo planes126 views
|
|
Young Tigers on the tail of this KC-135 Stratotanker.126 views
|
|
In the afternoon at the outdoor stage, they had a Strongman's Competition.126 views
|
|
C-130 taking off.125 views
|
|
Parachutes in the air.125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
Exit of the C-5 Galaxy. The plane's openings on both the front and back enables unloading and loading to be done at the same time.125 views
|
|
These people are lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck.125 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III125 views
|
|
We could also enter the C-17 Globemaster III from the rear.125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III has only one opening (in the rear) for loading/unloading cargo.124 views
|
|
124 views
|
|
Our fly boys on a lunch break.124 views
|
|
123 views
|
|
Lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck. There are some passenger seats as well.123 views
|
|
Front and nose of C-17 Globemaster III123 views
|
|
Sky-colored C-130 of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.123 views
|
|
Now for the helicopters. A bunch of them were on display, including this Huey.123 views
|
|
C-130 landing at Yokota Air Base. These planes drew large crowds as they took off and landed. There are many aircraft fans in Japan, photographers crazy about military aircraft.122 views
|
|
At the mouth of the plane is this ladder going up the cockpit of the C-5 Galaxy.122 views
|
|
Entering the C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane.122 views
|
|
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service since 1957. 122 views
|
|
The green (camoflauge) one is for flying over land, the blue for ocean.122 views
|
|
The aircraft started departing at around 3 pm.122 views
|
|
On a garbage truck.122 views
|
|
Helicopter taking off at Yokota Air Base.122 views
|
|
We could only peek inside Japan's C-130.121 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force, U-125A121 views
|
|
121 views
|
|
121 views
|
|
Fighter on the runway.121 views
|
|
They should understand that the samurai was a land-based fighter. They never flew in the air.120 views
|
|
Engines of the C-17 Globemaster III.119 views
|
|
119 views
|
|
I wish they had signs in front of each plane so we can identify the plane and know where it came from.119 views
|
|
People could also enter the KC-135 Stratotanker.118 views
|
|
So what's the difference between a green helo and a blue one (next photo)?118 views
|
|
The Chinook helicopter going to the runway to take off.118 views
|
|
Entering the KC-135 Stratotanker.117 views
|
|
Chinook helicopter117 views
|
|
The Yokota Air Base Japanese-American Friendship Festival in 2009 was great. I really enjoyed it. So much to see. The variety of aircraft was excellent. Obviously, a lot of preparation went into this festival with aircraft coming from many bases.117 views
|
|
A long line to enter the C-130 Hercules plane.116 views
|
|
Interesting shape of the rotor blades.116 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
Deafening noise, but very dramatic and a great ending to a great friendship festival. Also see my YouTube video here.115 views
|
|
Most of the planes leaving Yokota were from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. a nice festival climax, but the festival wouldn't end until night time when fireworks were held.115 views
|
|
My YouTube video of the Friendship Festival tanabata dancers, air show, etc., in 2009.115 views
|
|
Most of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force planes took off later in the day. Most of the US planes from outside Yokota left the next day.114 views
|
|
At around 2 pm, they started to clear people away from part of the aircraft display area. Some of the aircraft were to depart. This happens only on the second day of the festival.114 views
|
|
U-125A114 views
|
|
113 views
|
|
We were then treated to a series of flybys by planes leaving Yokota Air Base. After each plane took off, they flew by us and did a few airborne tricks.113 views
|
|
Beechcraft113 views
|
|
C-130 Hercules.112 views
|
|
112 views
|
|
C-130 nose111 views
|
|
Below the tail is the refueling pipe (with fins) of the KC-135 Stratotanker.109 views
|
|
Chinook helicopter up and away.109 views
|
|
Trying on pilot's helmets.107 views
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
