Japanese Tank Parade
(I originally posted this without any notes or text – as one sometimes do when one is in a rush – here’s the text, finally)
At the JSDF event in Asaka last month I saw more than handsome people in uniforms, there were these rather awe inspiring tanks and fighter jets as well. I was wandering around the base and saw a column of tanks lined up getting ready to enter the parade ground. It seems like even the Japanese Self Defence Forces have their own version of “hurry up and wait”. Still, the tank crews didn’t seem to mind. I had plenty of time to take the shots of the stationary tanks, but somehow walking in between stopped tanks is a very daunting task and I remained sheepishly on the sidelines.
When the tank column finally roared into action it was with flying banners and colorful scarves! As you can see in the first picture of the moving column, all is fine, but in the last, the exhaust gas of two dozen tanks made the smoke almost unbearable and even spectators tried to take cover. Just look at the looks on the faces of the two crew members caught at the end of the smog cloud! I am not envious!
As a special bonus, a squadron of F-2 fighters roared over us towards the sun. It was cloudy day! I took most of these with my 50-500mm Sigma and a Nikkor 20mm wide angle prime. Enjoy!
Were you tempted to stop in front of the tank ala Tankman?
Hahaha… no way! Those things are huge! Tankman must have been a superhero…!
Wow, Japan has much more armed forces than I realised. Great series of photos!
Thanks Steve! In truth, I think I saw most of them that day! haha… Even the postal office workers outnumber the members of the police and the armed forces by a 2:1 ratio…!
Wow, such a majestic photo of the airplanes in the sky! (Do you know type what they are?) I also love the beautifully designed orange flag!
Thanks Julie! Those planes (as I wrote in the text I added to the blog post – sorry…) are probably Japanese made F-2 fighters, the most modern fighters available to Japan right now, I think. The flag sure is good looking! I am not sure what rank it symbolizes, but probably pretty high up in the battalion!