Japan Air Shows 2015

[Uni]

Hi, all.

<FY2014, confirmed>(01 Apr.2014 - 31 Mar. 2015)
11 Jan. JGSDF Narashino, 1st. drop training of the year. http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/1abnb/event/
15 Mar. 2015, JASDF Komaki airshow with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/komaki/
26 Mar. 2015, B.I. fly-by over the Himeji castle, Hyogo pref..

<FY2015, confirmed>(01 Apr.2015 - 31 Mar. 2016)
04 Apr. JMSDF Ozuki, fly-by for the new ommer's ceremony.
05 Apr. JASDF Kumagaya(Saitama Pref.), with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/kumagaya/
11 Apr. JGSDF Somagahara(Gunma pref.), http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/eae/12b/
11 Apr. B.I. Fly-by at Takada city, Niigata pref.
12 Apr. JGSDF Takayubaru(Next to the Kumamoto airport, Kumamoto pref.)
18 Apr. JASDF Museum at Hamamatsu, F-15 and F-2 of 1 TS static display
engine-run at 1000(F-15) and 1400(F-2)
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/airpark/event ... 20150316-1
19 Apr. JASDF Museum at Hamamatsu, F-15 and F-2 of 1 TS static display
engine-run at 1000(F-15) and 1400(F-2)
19 Apr. JGSDF Kasuminome(Near the JR Sendai station, Miyagi pref.),
http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/neae/neaavn/
19 Apr. JAXA Chofu Lab. O.H. 1000-1600. Static display of their a/c(s).(Next to the Chofu air port, Tokyo)
http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/event/files/event ... _chofu.pdf
25 Apr. JMSDF Kanoya(Kagoshima pref.) experience flight to the invitee.
26 Apr. JMSDF Kanoya Airshow, No B.I. this year. http://www.air-memo.com/

02 May. NAF Atsugi, "Spring Festival 2015", open house with static displays.
(But they will have "normal training flights".)
You(means "Non Japanese") need permission to enter the base. Please ask to the P.R.O..
03 May MCAS Iwakuni with B.I..
http://www.mcasiwakunijp.marines.mil/Ne ... fault.aspx
http://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/News ... -show.aspx
16 May. Red Bull Air Race in Chiba, Kasai, Chiba pref.
17 May. Red Bull Air Race in Chiba, Kasai, Chiba pref.
http://www.redbull.com/jp/ja/stories/13 ... chiba-2015
17 May. JGSDF Kasumigaura(Ibaraki pref.), http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/eae/eadep/
24 May. JMSDF Ohminato(Aomori pref.),
"Marin Festa in Ohminato", 0900-1500, Static only(SH-60J, UH60J and AH-S).
http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/oominato/info ... index.html
24 May. JGSDF Kita-Utsunomiya(Tochigi pref.), http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/eae/12b/
24 May. JASDF Shizuhama(Shizuoka pref.) with B.I.(from Hamamatsu), 0900-1500,
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/shizuhama/shizuhama.html
24 May. JMSDF Ohmura(Nagasaki pref.), http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/22aw/
24 May. JASDF Miho(Tottori pref.) with B.I.. http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/miho/
Only one base where you can see the cargo-drop demo. from C-1.
30 May. JASDF Hofu-South(Yamaguchi pref.) O.H., No active a/cs, but you can see some gate-guardians.
30 May. B.I. fly-by at Akita city, Akita pref.

06 Jun. JMSDF Tokushima O.H., http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/tokusima/
Static display only. (Air show will be held in autumn)
06 Jun. MCAS Futenma(Okinawa pref.), Flight line Fair,1400-2200. http://www.okinawa.marines.mil/
Static display only.
07 Jun. MCAS Futenma(Okinawa pref.), Flight line Fair,1400-2200. Static display only.
You(means "Non Japanese") need permission to enter the base. Please ask to the P.R.O..
07 Jun. JASDF Hofu-North(Yamaguchi pref.) airshow with B.I, .http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/hofukita/
14 Jun. JGSDF Okadama(Sapporo air port), 0900-1500.

18 Jul. JMSDF Shimofusa, "Summer festival" O.H., http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/simohusa/
0900-1600, static displays only(P-3C, SH-60Js of 3MSS, and P-2J of 3MSS as groud handling trainer).
18 Jul. JMSDF Ozuki, 'Kids Festa" O.H., http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/oz-atg/
4*T-5ｓ will fly 1220-1245 and T-5 static display only.
18 Jul. JMSDF Komatsujima, experience flights 1100-1430. Invitee only.(You'll be able to see them from the out side.)
19 Jul. JMSDF Komatsujima
19 Jul. JASDF Chitose airshow with B.I.. http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/chitose/
26 Jul. JMSDF Tateyama, "Umimachi Festa 2015" O.H.. http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/tateyama/
26 Jul. JMSDF Maizuru, "Summer Festa" O.H.. http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/tateyama/hs23/index.html


22 Aug. Civil Helicopter air show at "Kurosurando-Oyabe", 1000-1600.
(a park naemed "Cross-Land " at Oyabe,Toyama pref.)
23 Aug. Civil Helicopter air show at "Kurosurando-Oyabe", 1000-1600.

06 Sep. JMSDF Hachinohe airshow, http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/hatinohe/
12 Sep. JGSDF Obihiro(Hokkaido)
13 Sep. JASDF/USAF Misawa, with B.I.. http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/
19 Sep. JGSDF Tachikawa, 0900-1500, http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/eae/eaavn/
19 Sep. JMSDF Tokushima airshow, http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/tokusima/
19 Sep. USAF Yokota http://www.yokota.af.mil/
20 Sep. USAF Yokota http://www.yokota.af.mil/
21 Sep. JASDF Komatsu with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/komatsu/
25 Sep. JMSDF Kanoya, P-3K of New Zealand AF will come.
26 Sep. JMSDF Shimofusa airshow, http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/simohusa/
0800-1600.
27 Sep. JMSDF Kanoya, joint-ex with P-3K.
29 Sep. JMSDF Kanoya, P-3K will leave.
29 Sep. NAF Atsugi, CVW-5 fly-in

01 Oct. CVN-76 Ronald Reagan come to Yokosuka.

04 Oct. JMSDF Tateyama, http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/tateyama/
04 Oct. JAXA Chofu Labo. O.H., Tokyo, http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/event/
10 Oct. JGSDF Metabaru, http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/wae/metabaru/
11 Oct. JGSDF Kisarazu, http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/crf/heridan/
***18 Oct. JGSDF Akeno,*** http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/akeno/
-18 Oct. JASDF Iruma, B.I. deplyment for the military review.
-18 Oct. JMSDF Shimofusa, MH-53E, CH-101 and MCH-101 deployment for the military review.
18 Oct. Military Reveiw at Sagami-bay, by JMSDF.
26-29 Oct. Civil Komaki air port(JASDF Komaki, MHI) First Flight of the Mitsubishi MRJ.
25 Oct. JASDF Gifu, no B.I.. http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/gifu/
25 Oct. JASDF Tsuiki with B.I. i, http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/tsuiki/
25 Oct. JASDF Hyakuri with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/hyakuri/

03 Nov. JASDF Iruma with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/iruma/.
More than 250,000 people come to the base every year.
07 Nov. (Date changed!) JMSDF Ozuki "Swell Festa 2015", http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/oz-atg/
08 Nov. JASDF Hamamatsu with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/hamamatsu/
22 Nov. JASDF Ashiya with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/ashiya/
22 Nov. JGSDF Yao, http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/mae/3d/yao/


06 Dec. JASDF Nyutabaru with B.I., http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/nyutabaru/
13 Dec. JASDF Naha, B.I. cancelled, I don't know the reason why, http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/naha/

10 Jan. 2016 JGSDF Narashino, 1st. drop training of the year. Gate open 0830, Event 1100-1200, Gate close 1500.
Some helicopters will arrive at the training area at around 0800-0900.
http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/1abnb/event/index.html
13 Mar. JASDF Komaki airshow, http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/komaki/

<No open day(s) in 2015>
USAF Kadena. Usually opens late Jun or Jul.. DoD ID holder and Japanese only.
You(means "Non Japanese") need permission to enter the base. Please ask to the P.R.O..
No flights, static displays only(F-15, KC-135, E-3, HH-60 an some JASDF a/cs.)

That's all today.
Uni

[Uni]

Some infos. for 2015.

<General>
1. Usually, the JASDF release their open house schedule at around 20th March every year.

2. Usually, the JGSDF release their open house schedule at early March, because they open their camps at the season of the cherry blossoms(early April).

3. Usually, the JMSDF release their open house schedule about 1-2 month before the event.

4. JASDF/JGSDF/JMSDF are "holiday" on Sat. and Sun. and the National holidays in Japan.
There are no activities. (Except routine maritime patrol, exercise, emergency and /or some special missions)
And 19 Sep. to 23 Sep. will be holidays in this year.

5. There are also no activities on these days;
1) The day of the local school examinations.
2) The day of the Flying Safety which is usually 1st. Jul..
3) The year-end and 1st week of the new year(usually, around 25.Dec to 6 Jan.)
4) "O-bon" period, usually around 12 Aug. to 16 Aug..
5) The next day of the airshow or the open house day, except the transportation flight.

6. Please check the NOTAM at this site before you visit to the airbase;
https://aisjapan.mlit.go.jp/Login.do
You' ll be able to get the time schedule of the mass flight, para-drop, and aerobatic
flights etc., for the airshow training.

7. Step ladder regulations
The number of the airshow visitor are increasing recently, so almost all the JASDF base made regulations for the step ladders at the airshow in these 2-3 years.
They are different from each airbases and changing year by year.
1) You CAN NOT bring it into the base : Iruma and Tsuiki.
2) You can bring it into the base, but prohibit to use during the airshow(especially B.I. show); Chiose, Hyakuri, Komatsu and Hamamamtsu.(Komatsu makes "Step ladder area" during the show)
3) You can bring it into the base, but requested minimum use; Other JASDF base.

<JASDF>
1. One fighter squadron usually has 3 training periods in one day from 0800am to 1700pm.
And they somtimes has "night" training at the 4th period(1700pm or later).

2. There are about 48 F-4EJ kais at 301sqn.(Nyutabaru), 302sqn.(Hyakuri) and ADTW(Gifu).
7 original F-4EJs are also flying at Gifu(TPC use).
You can see them at least FY2019-end(March of the 2020, source: MINDEF purchase program 2014)

3. There are 8 RF-4Es and 5 RF-4EJs at 501sqn.(Hyakuri).
The 501sqn. will change to a fighter sqn. by FY2020.
One RF-4E(901) is now painted in blue.

4. 13 F-2Bs which were washed by the Tsunami on 11 Mar., 2011 are under repairing.
The 3rd. or 4th. one starts its test flights.

5. There are still only two XC-2s at Gifu.
08-1201 is now replacing its fuselage(main body), because its strength is weaker than they planned.
Later, 08-1202 will replace its fuselage and modify to the ELINT version.
JASDF will get two more C-2s by FY2016(I think it will be March 2017) and they will go to Miho A.B..
Further 4 more C-2s will deliver to the JASDF on FY2017.
(This program was prolonged two years since their original announcement)

6. No infos. for the "Senkyo(*)" by now.
* Senkyo : Shortend term of the "Sengi-Kyougikai" in Japanese, meaning "The ACM meet in JASDF".

7. 304 sqn. (F-15s, Tsuiki) will move to Naha and will make "9th Wing" with 204 sqn. by Mar. 2016(!).

8. 8 sqn.(Misawa A.B.) will move to Tsuiki in FY2016, it maybe July to September.

9. JASDF is planning to switch the 301 sqn.(Nyutabaru) and 305sqn.(Hyakuri) in FY2016 or 2017.

10. Also plannning to move the Aggressor Sqn. to the Komatsu A.B..

11. And 3rd. sqn. will move to Hyakuri in 2020.

12. TRDI's ATD-X(Advanced Technology Demonstrator) will make its F/F in Jan. 2016(schedule has changed 4 times.) at MHI, Komaki.
After some test flights by the MHI, it will move to Gifu and will fly for 4 years.

13. Kawasaki C-1s
Retired: 48-1005(04/Apr/2012), 68-1015(28/May/2014), 68-1017(27/Jan/2015).
78-1022 will retire in FY2015.
Crashed: 58-1009(19/Apr/1983), 58-1010(18/Feb/1986), 68-1015(19/Apr/1983)
88-1027(28/Jun/2000)

<JMSDF>
1. Four "second-hand" C-130Rs for 61FS(9051, 9052, 9053 and 9054) can be seen at JMSDF Atsugi.

2. Kawasaki P-1s ;
5501 was modified to UP-1(Flying test bed) .
5502 is modifying to the production type.
5510 was delivered to the JMSDF on Mar. 2015.

Delivery schedules are as follows;
FY2015(by Mar. 2016) 5511 and 5512.
FY2016(by Mar. 2017) No new P-1s
FY2017(by Mar. 2018) 5513 and 5514.
FY2018(by Mar. 2019) 5515, 5516 and 5517.
Some P-1s are now belong to the VP-3, JMSDF Atsugi.

3. Two US-1As(9089 and 9090) are still in action.
　　But 9089 will replace to the US-2 9906 soon.(I think by Mar. 2015).
9090 will fly two more years at least.

4. All YS-11M/MAs were retired.

5. The Military Reveiw(Fleet Review) had held at Sagami-bay on 18 Oct..

<JGSDF>
1. It seems that all the UH-1"H"s are retired. Now they operate UH-1"J"s.

2. The last LR-1(22019) will retire by Mar. 2016.
It belongs to JGSDF Kisarazu now.

3. OH-6Ds of Kita-Utsunomiya made their last flight on 24 Feb. 2015.
Tey were 31248, -55, -58, -64, -65 and 31268 / SU.
Those OH-6Ds will replace to other bases.

4. The last 4 of 20 TH-480Bs arrived at Kita-Utsunomiya on 25 Feb, 2015.
The were 62377,-78, -79 and 62380.
(20 TH-480B at Kita-Utsunomiya and other 10 at Akeno)

<USN in Japan>
1. The CVW-5 usually leave Atsugi for its six month cruise in mid May and return late November.

2. The CVN-73 "George Washington" swapped to the CVN-76 "Ronald Reagan" in August. She came to Yokosuka on 2 Oct..


That's all today.
Uni

[CBR]

Great info Uni, thanks for your efforts ... and a happy New year.

[frankvhemert]

Thanks for the infomation!
We will add them to our showcalendar.

With regards,
Frank van Hemert
Dutch Aviation Society / Scramble
------------------------------------
Military movements elsewhere editor
Webeditor Showreports
website: www.scramble.nl
e-mail: frank.van.hemert@scramble.nl

Download the latest issue of Scramble Magazine in both the both the Apple store or Google Play Store!!

[DeanW]

Great info! Is Iruma the best show to attend? Is it an annual event? I'm planning a trip to Japan for 2016!

[Stilwell]

That would depend on what you want from an air show.
If you want:
- Formation flying by twin jet transports
- Formation flying in T-4 trainers by a team which isn't the Blue Impulse
- Formation flying in T-4 trainers by a team which is the Blue Impulse
- A demonstration of ILS calibration techniques,
then Iruma is the show for you.

If you want to see F-4 Phantoms flying, then less so.

They usually do have solo fast jet aerobatics courtesy of visitors from the test unit at Gifu, but last time I was there in 2012 these were an F-15 and an F-2.

The other advantages of Iruma are:
- a predictable date - since 2002 a show has been held each year on 3 November (a public holiday in Japan, so little JSDF flying at other bases)
- Easy access from Tokyo: direct train service from Ikebukuro station to Inariyama Koen station: 40 to 50 minutes, currently for 410 yen (if you aren't confident in buying a ticket, you can invest in a Suica or Pasmo electronic ticket to avoid that hassle).
- No entry fee: the JSDF shows tend to be open house events put on for the benefit of the local population. Who, being tax payers, have already paid for it once.

The down side? If you suffer from Agoraphobia, it may not be the place for you.

You may not be able to understand most of the text on this page:
http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/iruma/events/festival.html
But the attendance figures in orange speak for themselves. I thought it was busy in 2012, but they added another 100,000 in 2013.

But the agoraphobia comment goes for the other Japanese shows as well: most of the shows are popular with the locals, with the associated logistical challenges to get in and to get out again. While Iruma may be the most popular show due to the proximity to Tokyo, it also has a very good rail service within walking distance from the crowd area.

And like most of the other JASDF shows, the day before the show is usually a dress rehearsal, with most (but not all) of the display items flying. Plus arrivals for the static park (for bases where the show is on a Sunday, most arrivals are on the previous Friday).

If you want flying F-4 Phantoms, the show at one of the bases operating Phantoms - Hyakuri, Gifu or Nyutabaru, may be more suitable. Although this year I am hoping that the dates for Hyakuri will be such that I can do the shows at both Hyakuri and Iruma in a 3 week trip (as I did in 2012).

Hope this helps,
Jonathan.

[DeanW]

That's a huge help Jonathan, thank you very much! That certainly helps with my planning for next year! I'll probably aim to do the Iruma show plus at least a day at a base, such as Hyakuri. Thanks again!

[Stilwell]

If you plan to use public transport to get around, you may want to check out this site:
http://www.ibaraki-airport.net/en/access/index.html
for details of services to Ibaraki Airport, the civil terminal on the opposite side of the runways from Hyakuri air base.
Also:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
For train timetable information.
Jonathan.

[Grappa01]

Likewise, Uni, thank you very much for all detailed information about the Japanese Defence Forces and information about airshows at various locations in Japan. Uni, could you confirm the go-ahead of the airshow at Nagoya-Komaki on 15th of March and possible participants in the static park and airshow? Two of my friends and myself will be travelling to Japan at the end of the month for a mix of culture and military aviation photography. The idea is to be present at Komaki on the Friday before the airshow to photograph the arrivals of the airshow provided the airshow will go ahead. Thank you for your information.

Marco

[Uni]

Hi Marco,

There is no official info. for the Komaki airshow by now.
I think the visiters will be as same as the former airshows;
F-15 from Komatsu
F-2 and F-4 from Gifu
T-4 from Hamamatsu
T-7 from Shizuhama
T-400 from Miho
C-1 and/or YS-11 from Miho or Iruma
U-4, U-125 and CH-47J from Iruma
P-1 or P-3C from Atsugi
UH-1J/AH-1S/OH-1/OH-6 from Akeno

...and some special (I hope).

That's all today.
Uni

[Uni]

15 Mar. JASDF Komaki,
0830 Open
0900-1030 Opening fly-by, formation pass,
around 1130 Helicopters; JASDF, JGSDF, MSA and Nagoya Fire Agency
around 1220-1250 B.I. fly-by only
1500 close

* No step-ladder bringing into the base.
* No car park in the base.
The car park will set near the base.
NE area: Free shuttle bus to the Komaki station, then ride on the train for 10.min. to Ushiyama station.
MHI area: Free shuttle bus to the base.
Please check the maps on their HP.

* There will come more and more visitors in this year, because the B.I. fly again since 1971.
It was already reported by a lot of medias around the Nagoya area.

http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/komaki/2015ko ... index.html

[Grappa01]

Hi Uni,

Thanks for putting information for the Komaki Airshow on this website. We will be at Komaki this Friday to see the arrivals of the participants of the airshow and static. Maybe we will see you there.

Best regards,

Marco

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Uni]

Hi Marco,

There will come one F-15 and one F-4 from Gifu for static display(maybe on Friday).
They will depart at around 1440-1500 on Sunday.

(Source: Gifu AB. web site)
Uni

[Lifeliner 3]

Anything known yet about a (presumed) date for the Hyakuri show?

I've heard some vague rumours that it would be on 25 October...

[Stilwell]

I hope not, as if Hyakuri is on the 25th October would mean it clashes with the open house shows at both Gifu and Tsuiki. But it is up to each base when they hold their open house, and I see that Uni has changed the lead post to put Hyakuri in as provisional for the 25th. I can't see anything on the Hyakuri base website, or the central JASDF sites yet, though.