News>PACAF demo team participates at Yokota Friendship Festival, Japan
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The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team lifts from Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. Currently, more than 100,000 spectators are expected to participate in the festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals wait in line to view the C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Capt. Chris Ross and Capt. Adrian Martin, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team pilots, fly over Tokyo, Japan, following the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan Aug. 20. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team touches down at Yokota Air Base, Japan, after performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. Approximately 30 team members from the 535th Airlift Squadron and the Hawaii Air National Guard are present with the aircraft to showcase its capabilities at the festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team flies over Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. The PACAF demonstration team is the only active C-17 demonstration team in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team lifts off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. After the aerial demonstration, the C-17 is scheduled to partake in the festival as a static display, so spectators may view the inside of the aircraft and meet the crew. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Two Kawasaki C-1 pilots with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stand in front of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 19. The two day festival attracted more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Japanese nationals wait to board a C-17 Globemaster III static display at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival Aug. 18-19. The static display attracted thousands of spectators during the annual two weekend festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals wait in line to view the C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals view the inside of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
A young Japanese National sits in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 19.The two day annual festival attracted more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
1st Lt. Jason Taylor, C-17 pilot, sells 535th Airlift Squadron merchandise to raise money for the booster club at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team lifts from Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. Currently, more than 100,000 spectators are expected to participate in the festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals wait in line to view the C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Capt. Chris Ross and Capt. Adrian Martin, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team pilots, fly over Tokyo, Japan, following the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan Aug. 20. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team touches down at Yokota Air Base, Japan, after performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. Approximately 30 team members from the 535th Airlift Squadron and the Hawaii Air National Guard are present with the aircraft to showcase its capabilities at the festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team flies over Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. The PACAF demonstration team is the only active C-17 demonstration team in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
The Pacific Air Forces C-17 demonstration team lifts off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, while performing a practice-run of the aerial demonstration in preparation for the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18-19. After the aerial demonstration, the C-17 is scheduled to partake in the festival as a static display, so spectators may view the inside of the aircraft and meet the crew. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Two Kawasaki C-1 pilots with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force stand in front of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 19. The two day festival attracted more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Japanese nationals wait to board a C-17 Globemaster III static display at Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival Aug. 18-19. The static display attracted thousands of spectators during the annual two weekend festival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals wait in line to view the C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
Hundreds of Japanese nationals view the inside of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
A young Japanese National sits in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 19.The two day annual festival attracted more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
1st Lt. Jason Taylor, C-17 pilot, sells 535th Airlift Squadron merchandise to raise money for the booster club at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18. The annual two day festival attracted more than 200,000 viewers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lauren Main)
by Senior Airman Lauren Main
15th Wing Public Affairs
8/22/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Mass crowds of Japanese citizens and aviation enthusiasts flooded the flightline of Yokota Air Base, Japan, to partake in the annuual Japanese-American Friendship Festival Aug. 18-19.
During the festival, the Yokota Air Base flightline hosted more than 200,000 people who came to enjoy the festival. Thousands of which, passed through the static display of the C-17 Globemaster III Pacific Air Forces Demonstration aircraft, based out of the 535th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
An elite selection of pilots and loadmasters from the 535th AS were selected to demonstrate the capabilities of the 15th Wing's primary aircraft, as the only C-17 demonstration team in the Pacific Air Forces. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the team was unable to perform the aerial demonstration which was initially planned. However, that gave people more time to view the aircraft and appreciate firsthand its size and power, as well as the Airmen who support it.
"I had a lot of people ask about Operation Tomodachi," said Capt. Brian Carran, C-17 pilot and demonstration team lead. "They wanted to know if I flew during Operation Tomodachi, which I did, and they were very grateful. I must have taken hundreds of photos with people."
All of the pilots and crew members were eagerly welcomed by the Japanese public, who were both hospitable and curious.
"I got a lot of questions about the capabilities of the aircraft," said Capt. Brandon Dewey, C-17 pilot and demonstration team videographer. "They asked about the squadron motto, 'Go for Broke,' and about our airdrop capabilities. I even had one guy who wanted to take a picture with me while shaking my hand, as a sign of friendship."
Despite the pressure from the large crowds, the team maintained their cool in the 95-degree weather, and ensured that the crowd got to experience the C-17 Globemaster III as much as possible.
"Even though we didn't get to fly, I think overall the experience was very positive," said Dewey.
