Photo By Sgt. Michael Iams | A local veteran admires a Mitsubishi F-2 fighter on display at the Air Fiesta 2011 on...... read more read more
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NAHA AIR BASE, Japan - The Japan Air Self-Defense Force opened its gates to the public for its annual Air Fiesta at the Naha Air Base Dec. 11.
“We hold this annual air show and fiesta to let this base be known to the public and show them what we do,” said Maj. Gen. Masashi Yamada, the base general for Naha Air Base. “It also lets our personnel meet other self-defense personnel around the island and help them understand what they do.”
Air Fiesta 2011 featured static and flight displays of the many aircraft used by the JASDF. The event also allowed U.S. service members to get a glimpse of what it is like on a Japanese military base.
“Attending festivals like this is a good way for me and my family to spend time together to see and learn about the local community,” said Master Sgt. David S. Dickens, a facility engineer maintenance chief with Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “Being able to go to a Japanese military base also allows me to see how they are alike and different from the American military.”
The festival featured traditional Okinawan Eisa dancers, local singers, bands and performers.
“Coming out to celebrate this fiesta is another opportunity to work together with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force as well as build relations between the U.S. and Japanese forces,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The commander of the JASDF 83rd Air Wing held a luncheon to honor and thank the service members, veterans and distinguished guest for attending and celebrating the festival.
“Celebrating the air show with the [JASDF] helps strengthen our relations with them and allow us to work closely together with their great air assets,” said Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “I want to thank them for their service and let them know they will always have a strong friend with the U.S. forces.”
According to Yamada, the festival took about three months to plan and set up.
“I am happy to see a lot of the community come out and attend the festival,” said Yamada. “This means they are interested to see who we are and what we do.”
The Air Fiesta ended with an air show by the 83rd Air Wing’s aerobatic demonstration team, the Blue Impulse.
“We have these flight displays to show the community our skills as pilots,” said Yamada. “We hold this fiesta every year, and I hope a lot of people come and see us again next year.”
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2011 00:55 |
| Story ID: | 81400 |
| Location: | NAHA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 213 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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