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.813 views
|
|
Interesting sign at the gate.269 views
|
|
JR Ushihama Station platform. Fewer people than I expected, to my relief.265 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.231 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.220 views
|
|
The Japanese loved to take pictures with the Americans.211 views
|
|
K-9 Unit posing for photos with a German Shepherd. That's a big doggie.186 views
|
|
Here's Supply Gate No. 5 at Yokota Air Base. It looked like a long wait here too, but it went smoothly.185 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.170 views
|
|
Here we are in Yokota Air Base passing by numerous hangars.170 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.168 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.166 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.)163 views
|
|
Lotta local people also came by bicycle.163 views
|
|
Layout of the place. Lots of food booths and souvenir stalls.161 views
|
|
Basketball court158 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 500,000.158 views
|
|
Hangar 15157 views
|
|
A long line to take pictures with a dog.155 views
|
|
Hangar 15155 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-130.153 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.152 views
|
|
Dunking contest. Hey, where's the bikini girl?149 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.148 views
|
|
Entertainment schedule. There was an indoor stage inside Hangar No. 15 and an outdoor stage. Plus airborne demos.147 views
|
|
Fighter pilots always look quite intelligent. A college degree is required.147 views
|
|
Many food booths had long lines. Sasebo Burgers here.145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Toilets, both American and Japanese style. They had many portable toilets on hand. And they were busy all day long.144 views
|
|
An American icon, SPAM.143 views
|
|
Girl in yukata kimono posing with military persons in uniform in front of the C-130.143 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??142 viewsKalua pig, poi, lomi-lomi salmon, and haupia. C'mon guys, bring out da real Hawaiian food. (If you guys really from HI.)
|
|
Cub Scout T-shirts, better design.140 views
|
|
The black Camaro was on sale.140 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.140 views
|
|
Hokusai ukiyoe on the tail of a Cessna.139 views
|
|
Hummer139 views
|
|
T-shirts138 views
|
|
Hot rods138 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.137 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?137 views
|
|
People could also sit and rest inside the C-5 Galaxy.137 views
|
|
Fightin' Samurai T-shirt135 views
|
|
Train for kids plied between the gate to the main festival site.135 views
|
|
I'm not an expert at military aircraft. I can only tell you the names of the most famous ones.133 views
|
|
This one stood out, like a swank sports car. Looks like a fast critter.133 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.133 views
|
|
132 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.132 views
|
|
The pilots or staff were on hand selling patches, T-shirts, etc. 131 views
|
|
|
130 views
|
|
This plane, they allowed people to look inside the cockpit. A long line for this.130 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!"130 views
|
|
Besides Yokota, these planes came from various places such as Kadena (Okinawa) and Misawa (Aomori) Air Bases.129 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force Kawasaki C-1129 views
|
|
Would you believe an ambulance made its way through the food court?? People had to get up and make room.128 views
|
|
F-16 Fighting Falcon128 views
|
|
Planes with the familiar red dot belong to Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Japan Air Self Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 fighter.128 views
|
|
Inflatable rides for kids, a long line as well. Very important to have something for kids. Lotta families came to the festival.127 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force F-4 Phantom127 views
|
|
Inside the C-5 Galaxy, selling T-shirts, "Size does matter."127 views
|
|
On the right side, were mostly fighter planes.126 views
|
|
Climb up to see the cockpit. "Wow, awesome!"126 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!126 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy crew126 views
|
|
Outdoor stage had more entertainment.125 views
|
|
F-22 Raptor, the stealth fighter. I thought the plane was black, but they are dull gray.125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
On the left side were mostly helicopters and cargo aircraft.124 views
|
|
F-15 Eagle fighter124 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.123 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.123 views
|
|
Torii at Yokota Air Base.123 views
|
|
Some time later, the three C-130 planes dropped several men in parachutes.122 views
|
|
|
121 views
|
|
After a job well done, the three C-130s return to Yokota Air Base.121 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy transport plane, one of the largest aircraft in the world. One of my favorites.121 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.121 views
|
|
C-5 Galaxy engine121 views
|
|
When you walk further down, you see the static displays of miltary aircraft. 120 views
|
|
120 views
|
|
120 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.120 views
|
|
119 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).118 views
|
|
AWACS plane117 views
|
|
C-130 on the runway to take off for an airborne demo.117 views
|
|
|
Next to the C-17 Globemaster III was this refueling plane called the KC-135 Stratotanker made by Boeing.117 views
|
|
Long lines almost everywhere.117 views
|
|
Pilot's name116 views
|
|
Side view of the C-5 Galaxy's front end. The closest thing we have to Thunderbird 2.116 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.116 views
|
|
Young Tigers on the tail of this KC-135 Stratotanker.116 views
|
|
People lined up to sit in the cockpit of the Huey helicopter.116 views
|
|
The C-5 Galaxy has 28 wheels.115 views
|
|
We could also enter the C-17 Globemaster III from the rear.115 views
|
|
In the afternoon at the outdoor stage, they had a Strongman's Competition.115 views
|
|
This strongman pulled a bus loaded with kids.115 views
|
|
P-3 Orion114 views
|
|
Three C-130 Hercules cargo planes start to take off one after another for an airborne demo.114 views
|
|
Parachutes in the air.114 views
|
|
Men in parachutes heading toward Yokota Air Base. They landed on the runway area.114 views
|
|
Floor of the C-5 Galaxy, dotted with eyelets for hooks or ropes to secure the cargo.114 views
|
|
These people are lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck.114 views
|
|
C-130 taking off.113 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III113 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy cargo planes113 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III has only one opening (in the rear) for loading/unloading cargo.113 views
|
|
112 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.112 views
|
|
At the mouth of the plane is this ladder going up the cockpit of the C-5 Galaxy.112 views
|
|
C-17 Globemaster III112 views
|
|
On a garbage truck.112 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.111 views
|
|
Lining up to see the C-5 Galaxy's cockpit on the upper deck. There are some passenger seats as well.111 views
|
|
Entering the C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane.111 views
|
|
Now for the helicopters. A bunch of them were on display, including this Huey.111 views
|
|
Our fly boys on a lunch break.111 views
|
|
110 views
|
|
They should understand that the samurai was a land-based fighter. They never flew in the air.110 views
|
|
110 views
|
|
Front and nose of C-17 Globemaster III109 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
The green (camoflauge) one is for flying over land, the blue for ocean.109 views
|
|
Helicopter taking off at Yokota Air Base.109 views
|
|
Sky-colored C-130 of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force.108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
Japan Air Self Defense Force, U-125A108 views
|
|
So what's the difference between a green helo and a blue one (next photo)?108 views
|
|
Fighter on the runway.108 views
|
|
Engines of the C-17 Globemaster III.107 views
|
|
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service since 1957. 107 views
|
|
107 views
|
|
People could also enter the KC-135 Stratotanker.106 views
|
|
The aircraft started departing at around 3 pm.106 views
|
|
The Chinook helicopter going to the runway to take off.106 views
|
|
Entering the KC-135 Stratotanker.105 views
|
|
I wish they had signs in front of each plane so we can identify the plane and know where it came from.105 views
|
|
105 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.105 views
|
|
My YouTube video of the Friendship Festival tanabata dancers, air show, etc., in 2009.105 views
|
|
A long line to enter the C-130 Hercules plane.104 views
|
|
Chinook helicopter104 views
|
|
Interesting shape of the rotor blades.104 views
|
|
Deafening noise, but very dramatic and a great ending to a great friendship festival. Also see my YouTube video here.104 views
|
|
U-125A104 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.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
We could only peek inside Japan's C-130.102 views
|
|
C-130 Hercules.102 views
|
|
102 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.101 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.101 views
|
|
Beechcraft101 views
|
|
101 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.100 views
|
|
Below the tail is the refueling pipe (with fins) of the KC-135 Stratotanker.98 views
|
|
C-130 nose97 views
|
|
Trying on pilot's helmets.96 views
|
|
Chinook helicopter up and away.96 views
|
|
|
|
|
|