YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- About 117,000 guests gathered at Yokota Air Base, Japan, as the 374th Airlift Wing opened its gates to the public for the 49th Annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival, May 17–18.
The two-day festival featured static aircraft displays, aerial demonstrations, live music, cultural performances, and a wide variety of food vendors offering both American and Japanese cuisine. These attractions provided guests with a firsthand look at the capabilities of U.S. and Japan forces, while honoring the tradition and friendship of both nations.
“The Friendship Festival is a unique opportunity to welcome the broader community onto the installation and showcase aspects of our mission they wouldn’t typically see," said U.S. Air Force Col. Richard McElhaney, 374th Airlift Wing commander. “It highlights the capabilities and daily efforts of not only our Airmen, but our entire joint force and Japanese partners.”
The event featured a lineup of military demonstrations, including flyovers by U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron, a parachute jump by American and Japanese personnel, and an aerobatic display by the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team. This year’s demonstration also marked the final public performance of the PACAF F-16 Demo Team, as well as the last festival featuring the UH-1N Huey assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron.
“The success of this year’s Friendship Festival wouldn’t have been possible without the close collaboration of our Yokota and Japan Air Self-Defense Force partners,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Helm, 459th Airlift Squadron UH-1N instructor pilot and Friendship Festival lead. “They planned and executed with us every step of the way, embodying the strength of our alliance.”
This year’s festival was hosted by the 374th Airlift Wing, with support from the Japan Self-Defense Force, local organizations, and U.S. military units from the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.
Events such as the Friendship Festival play an important role in strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. By bringing people together in a shared space of respect and cooperation, these engagements reinforce a mutual commitment to peace, partnership, and the continued stability of the Indo-Pacific region.