2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 U.S. Air Force Logo May 20, 2023 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Attendees rush toward the flight line after the gates are opened during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 The Yokota flightline, poised with 34 static aircraft displays, fills with attendees during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Open base events like Friendship Festival provide a special occasion for Team Yokota and the surrounding community to come together and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Danny Rangel) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A member of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force smiles through an opening of a C-130H Hercules aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Yokota hosted the event with the support of the units from the air and ground branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A vendor fries rice during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Garrett Cole) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young child is offered a fried potato snack during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A family poses for a photo during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy smiles amongst a bubble flurry during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Attendees take a selfie with a hotdog mascot during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Attendees take photos of an AH-1Z Viper aircraft assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Yokota hosted the event with the support of the units from the air and ground branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Natsuki, Slum Rose lead singer and guitarist, holds up a Slum Rose banner on-stage during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy plays with a model MV-22 Osprey toy during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 U.S. Air Force aircrew from the 36th Airlift Squadron greet guests approaching a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Open base events like Friendship Festival provide a special occasion for Team Yokota and the surrounding community to come together and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 (Left to right) Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Kasten, 374th Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader, Col. Julie Gaulin, 374th Airlift Wing vice commander, Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th AW command chief, and Lt. Col. Matthew Stillman, 374th SFS commander, pose for a photo during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor A. Workman) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy reaches into a helicopter during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 The ATs-69, a Bon Jovi tribute band, performs for a crowd of visitors during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. This two-day festival serves as a platform for attendees to deepen their understanding of the collaborative relationship between the United States and Japan while fostering stronger relations between Yokota Air Base and the surrounding local communities. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy scooters down the flightline during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy grabs the rope sectioning off a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samantha White) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young boy salutes while in the cockpit of an aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A special missions aviator from the 459th Airlift Squadron prepares a hoist to lower a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) specialist to the ground from a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter during a aerial search and rescue demonstration at the 2023 Friendship Festival, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The two-day festival allowed visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of the Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A special missions aviator from the 459th Airlift Squadron secures a hoist inside a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter during a aerial search and rescue demonstration at the 2023 Friendship Festival, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The two-day festival allowed visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of the Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Four young kids pose with toy planes during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A line of attendees forms outside of a visiting aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Festival goers came from near and far, with some flying in from the other side of the world to attend the once-a-year event. Now, they have flooded social media with photos and videos commemorating the spirit and importance of friendship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooklyn Golightly) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 An attendee photographs a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Yokota hosted the event with the support of the units from the air and ground branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor A. Workman) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A 374th Security Forces Squadron defender high-fives a young boy during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Open base events like Friendship Festival provide a special occasion for Team Yokota and the surrounding community to come together and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor A. Workman) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 U.S. Air Force defenders assigned to the 374th Security Forces Squadron pose for a photo during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Yokota hosted the event with the support of the units from the air and ground branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor A. Workman) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young girl reaches for the wing of a C-12 Huron aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Open base events like Friendship Festival provide a special occasion for Team Yokota and the surrounding community to come together and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A member of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force smiles through an opening of a C-130H Hercules aircraft during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Yokota hosted the event with the support of the units from the air and ground branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A guitarist performs for a crowd of attendees during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Garrett Cole) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Daisuke Kawano, drummer for the band Garage Crap, performs for a crowd of attendees during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The base opened to the public for two full days of aircraft static displays, live music, food, fun, and aerial exhibitions of U.S.-Japan military readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Garrett Cole) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 An attendee rests on the flightline during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. Several flying demonstrations accented the festival, with special performances from the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and Yokota’s very own C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which dropped dozens of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers over the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A guitarist from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia performs for a crowd of visitors during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. This two-day festival serves as a platform for attendees to deepen their understanding of the collaborative relationship between the United States and Japan while fostering stronger relations between Yokota Air Base and the surrounding local communities. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia perform for a crowd of visitors during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. This two-day festival serves as a platform for attendees to deepen their understanding of the collaborative relationship between the United States and Japan while fostering stronger relations between Yokota Air Base and the surrounding local communities. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 DJ Double G performs for a crowd of visitors during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. This two-day festival serves as a platform for attendees to deepen their understanding of the collaborative relationship between the United States and Japan while fostering stronger relations between Yokota Air Base and the surrounding local communities. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Doan) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 A young child and their father enjoy a shower of bubbles at the close of festival day one during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The two-day festival allowed visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of the Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith) Details Download 2023 Friendship Festival highlights: Day 1 Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th Airlift Wing command chief, announces the close of festival day one during the 2023 Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2023. The two-day festival allowed visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of the Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services, and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith) Details Download The 2023 Yokota Friendship Festival completes the first of its two-days worth of events, as Team Yokota opens its gates to welcome approximately 67,000 guests from around the world to celebrate the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Japan and take the opportunity to help strengthen ties between the base and local communities. This year, aircraft static displays, live entertainment, food vendors, and aerial demonstrations were provided for the festival goes to showcase the U.S.-Japan mission partnership.