Massive crowds filed through the supply gate at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 20, 2011, for the base's annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival. The two-day event was expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors, according to Yokota officials. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Massive crowds filed through the supply gate at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 20, 2011, for the base's annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival. The two-day event was expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors, according to Yokota officials. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Tens of thousands of visitors filled Yokota's flight line Aug. 20, 2011, for the annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors enjoy a short ride to the flight line Aug. 20, 2011, during the annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors gather to take photos in front of the A-10 Thunderbolt, one of the many aircraft on display Aug. 20, 2011, for the annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Capt. Chris "Thud" Beherens, with the 13th Fighter Squadron out of Misawa Air Base, Japan, poses for photos with visitors Aug. 20, 2011, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors wait to take a tour inside the C-17 transport aircraft on display Aug. 20, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors take a tour inside the C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft on display Aug. 20, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
A father and son enjoy a moment in the cockpit of a UH-60 Black Hawk during the annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 20, 2011. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Two children pose for a photo inside a C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft during the annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on Aug. 20, 2011. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Tens of thousands of Japanese visitors flooded the flight line Saturday for Yokota’s annual Japanese-American Friendship Festival.
One of the biggest attractions was the aircraft on display. There were plenty of smiles as Japanese took pictures with crewmembers in front of their planes.
Capt. Scott Mccusker and his family were enjoying the day and were surprised by how many Japanese asked if they could take a picture with them.
“It’s a good turnout,” Mccusker said with a smile as cameras snapped photos.
Elsewhere on the flight line, people enjoyed live entertainment and some popular American fare.
“The food. People come for the food,” military dependent Brian Roska said as visitors lined up patiently for steak dinners, Philly cheesesteaks and cold beer.
The two-day event, which wraps up Sunday, is expected to draw more than 100,000 people, Yokota officials said.
