PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan --  

The U.S. Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team participate in the Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The 46th Friendship Day airshow, co-hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, showcased American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint effort that deepened military ties, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance while thanking the local community for their continued support.

airshow pyrotechnics launch fireballs into the air in front of an audience

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

Airshow attendees watch a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. During the MAGTF demonstration, audiences witnessed capabilities of Marine Corps assets to perform in expeditionary environments as various aircraft provided close air support and performed an aerial insert of troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)
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SLIDESHOW | 12 images | PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25
airshow pyrotechnics launch fireballs into the air in front of an audience

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

Airshow attendees watch a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. During the MAGTF demonstration, audiences witnessed capabilities of Marine Corps assets to perform in expeditionary environments as various aircraft provided close air support and performed an aerial insert of troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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Demo team members pose with a Japanese boy for a group photo

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team members pose with an airshow attendee during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The 46th Friendship Day airshow, co-hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, showcased American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint effort that deepened military ties, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance while thanking the local community for their continued support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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Japanese airshow fan and an Air Force pilot pose for a photo together

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, poses with an airshow attendee during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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Japanese airshow fan poses for a photograph

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

An airshow attendee shows off his Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team autograph collection during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The 46th Friendship Day airshow, co-hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, showcased American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint effort that deepened military ties, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance while thanking the local community for their continued support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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plastic toy of a fighter jet held in a boy's hand

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

A boy plays with a toy model of a 35th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The 46th Friendship Day airshow, co-hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, showcased American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint effort that deepened military ties, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance while thanking the local community for their continued support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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large group of photographers point their lenses toward the sky

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

Airshow attendees photograph aircraft aerial demonstrations during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The 46th Friendship Day airshow, co-hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, showcased American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint effort that deepened military ties, promoted cultural exchange, and strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance while thanking the local community for their continued support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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military aircraft fly in formation

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules and F-35B Lightning IIs from Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) conduct a flyover during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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Air Force pilot holds a radio

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Isaiah “Maigo” Butcher Jr., Pacifc Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team safety observer, communicates with the PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team pilot during an aerial demonstration as part of Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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fighter jet flies in front of the moon in the background

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs aerial maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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fighter jet flies in the sky

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs aerial maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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fighter jet flies in the sky

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs aerial maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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fighter jet flies in the sky

PACAF F-16 Demonstration Team participates at Iwakuni Friendship Day 25

U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, performs aerial maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Iwakuni Friendship Day 25 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 4, 2025. The joint and bilateral airshow showcased the strength of international partnerships between American and Japanese personnel working side-by-side in a joint endeavor enhancing military ties, fostering cultural exchanges, and strengthening community engagement between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)

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