Report and pictures by Robin Polderman
Following our report on the Tsuiki airshow, The Unit Report made its way further south on the beautiful Japanese island of Kyushu. Our main goal was visiting the Nyutabaru Air Festival on 1 December 2024.
To witness local flying of the based F-15J/DJ units, we arrived at Nyutabaru airbase sometime before the day of the airshow. And boy-oh-boy; we were not disappointed. Over the course of Friday and the airshow rehearsals on Saturday, the local units put 30 different F-15 Eagles in the air, with missions flown from sunrise to sunset. With only two based squadrons that is no mean feat and a tribute to the JASDF’s commitment to well-trained pilots and well-guarded airspace.
Similar to many other military airfields in Japan, Nyutabaru came to be in the course of the Second World War. During the closing stages of this conflict, in the spring of 1945, the base was used to launch waves of kamikaze fighters directed at the US Naval Fleet surrounding the island of Kyushu. Being abandoned after the war, the facility was reinstated as a military base in 1957 with the arrival of the first Lockheed T-33 T-Birds.
At the end of the 2000s, Nyutabaru Air Base hosted the 23 Hikotai and its F-15s, the 301 Hikotai flying the F-4EJ Kai Phantom, and the Aggressor Group (AGG) with its eight specially painted F-15 Eagles. Sadly the AGG has moved to Komatsu since, while the 301 Hikotai traded places with F-15 unit 305 Hikotai from Hyakuri Air Base, near the Japanese capital Tokyo.
Nowadays Nyutabaru, often shortened to 'Nyuta' by the local aviation enthusiasts, is home to both 23 and 305 Hikotai flying the mighty Eagle. The 23rd serves as the JASDF F-15 Operational Conversion Unit. Being a training squadron, more than half of its fleet consists of F-15DJ two-seaters. Based alongside the F-15 fleet is a rescue detachment flying two examples of the Hawker/Raytheon U-125A and three Mitsubishi UH-60J-II helicopters.
As was the case at Tsuiki the week prior, no on-base parking is provided for airshow visitors. Much to our surprise, there was only a small queue of people outside the base’s main gate. Although the show was advertised to open at 9 AM, the gate already opened at 07:45. Upon entering the main apron, visitors were greeted by a long row of Eagles being readied to fly, with static aircraft parked in the same line but more to the right. With the early morning light being near perfect, photographers were having a field day.
Besides ample locally based aircraft on display, the JASDF was further represented by a pair of F-35s, two Ashiya T-4s, a T-7, T-400, C-2 transport, U-4 Gulfstream, U-680 calibration aircraft, SAR Chinook and a brand new E-2D Hawkeye. The Navy sent over a U-36 Learjet from Iwakuni, while nearby Kanoya naval airbase participated with a P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and SH-60K helicopter, all on static display. Last but not least the JGSDF’s contribution to the static display came in the shape of an OH-1 ‘Ninja’ observation helicopter, scheduled to be withdrawn in the not-too-distant future.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the JASDF, one of the based F-15J aircraft had been decorated with colorful decals spanning the outside of both vertical tails.
At 9 AM sharp, the first aircraft took to the skies. A welcoming flight consisting of two F-15s, a T-4, a U-125A, and a UH-60J-II helicopter performed a fly-by. Subsequently, the two SAR aircraft displayed their ability to work together to rescue a downed aircrew. The start of their display was somewhat delayed however as a real-life emergency developed. A civil ambulance helicopter based in the nearby city of Miyazaki had to cross Nyutabaru’s Control Zone necessitating a delay in the airshow schedule. With many deliberate gaps in the airshow programming, this luckily didn’t affect the timing of other demonstrations.
The highlight of the Nyutabaru airshow is the 10-ship F-15 fly-by performed by the 23 Hikotai. The roar of 20 Pratt & Whitney F100 engines in close harmony made all heads turn towards the sky. Sadly this symphony was only heard once; the formation made a single pass before dispersing and coming in to land again.
Further demonstration flights were flown by an F-2A from Tsuiki and an F-35A from 302 Hikotai, normally based at Misawa. With Nyutabaru airbase being the future host of an F-35B unit, the local residents and enthusiasts were keen to see the type up close and personal for the first time.
The show drew to a close after an impressive low-level maneuver flight performed by two F-15s of the 305 Hikotai. Consisting mainly of high-G turns with ample use of afterburner this demonstration is surely a crowd pleaser!
As the sun turned into an unfavorable position already during the morning, we made our way to the outside of the base to obtain a better spot for images. Be aware that all access roads to the normal spots used for photography at the south side of the base have been strictly cordoned off and are controlled by the local police. Luckily, in the days leading up to the air show, we managed to purchase a parking pass from the small aviation shop located near the eastern approach, which at least allowed us access to the route leading up to the store. As entry to the roads around the base were prohibited for pedestrians as well, we used a taxi to get from the parking area at the store to the main gate and vice versa. This allowed for approach shots of participating aircraft with the sun behind us.
The Nyutabaru Air Festival is well worth a visit, although it is advised to be in the area some days before the event to witness airshow rehearsals, the arrival of participants, and of course procure the much-coveted parking pass that makes life so much easier on the day of the event.
