Iwakuni Air Base, Military air base in Iwakuni, Japan.
Iwakuni Air Base is a military installation in Iwakuni, Japan, hosting American and Japanese air units on a shared compound near the Nishiki River. The facility includes runways, hangars, and support buildings for personnel from both nations.
The Japanese navy opened the airfield in 1940 for military purposes during World War II. After the war ended, American forces took control in 1952 and later began sharing the grounds with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The base organizes an annual Friendship Day each May 5th, welcoming 250,000 visitors to witness military aircraft demonstrations and strengthen Japanese-American relations.
The base is normally closed to visitors except during the annual Friendship Day in early May, when gates open to the public. Those planning to attend should arrive early, as tens of thousands of guests are expected and access is limited.
Part of the runway extends over reclaimed land in the sea, expanded over decades to allow longer takeoffs. This section sits right at the waterline and gives pilots approaching views of the bay.
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