The show in Naha was the main goal during this trip to Japan in 2008, so the expectations were very high as 2008 marked the last year of active 302 Sqn. operations at Naha, and this Squadron is still flying the F-4EJ!
But the weather forecast was not good at all many days in advance already and when we made our way to the airport the sky was already full of clouds and there was no sign that it would get better during the day.

Where? Naha, Okinawa, Japan
When? 14/12/2008

This report is an excerpt of the Japan Trip report 2008 that can also soon be found on this site.

... Finding the entrance to the show a bit later was no problem as there was already a queue of people waiting to get in. And many of them also brought their stepladders by plane to Naha, but of course not the whole way from Europe.

Whereas everybody was very mannered at the beginning the rush started once the gates opened for the public and everybody was running in. Being fit really helped a lot, because the way from the gate to the apron was loooooooong.

Preparations for the flying took already place just in front of the crowdline and we decided to stay there and get a good place close to the action with a nice view to the runway. Rushing through the static display did not make any sense because the barriers were very close to the aircraft and we photographed most of the jets on Friday during their arrival in nice sunshine.

Good Bye Okinawa - special coloured Phantom 37-8322

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The line-up consisted of 3 T-4, 4 F-4EJ, 2 F-15J and the Blue Impulse team. Both Eagles were from the 204 Squadron at Hyakuri that is going to replace the Phantoms at Naha from April 2009 on.

Naha Phantoms

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starting the flight display

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302 Sqn. F-4EJ Kai Phantoms

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