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MH-53 Helicopter lands on the USS Tortuga. Photo by Official US Navy Imagery
“DON’T WAIT UP for me tonight,” my husband said Friday March 11 at 4:00 pm Japan time, one hour and 14 minutes after the 9.0 earthquake shook the mainland.
At that moment, he was walking into an emergency meeting to help coordinate rescue efforts. 4 days have since passed, and he (and every military member I know) has been working nonstop. We’re part of the American Marine Corps community in Okinawa.
The US Military, which has about 90 bases in Japan, is assisting in a recovery effort called Operation Tomodachi, or “friend.” They’ve delivered food, water, supplies, generators, transport, fuel, and manpower.
The response to the devastated area was immediately put into action even while Okinawa itself was under tsunami warning and evacuation orders. (Okinawa suffered no serious damage)
The challenges of supplying aid to the region include damaged roads, bridges, congested waterways, flooded airports and airfields, repeated aftershocks, and now threats of nuclear contamination. Even so, US Military has provided Sendai and surrounding areas humanitarian assistance.
Within hours of the earthquake, a high-speed ferry and aircraft dispatched from Okinawa to the affected region offering communications equipment, supplies, and fuel.
8 ships of the US Navy’s 7th fleet are currently positioned on the east coast of Honshu. They include the USS Ronald Reagan, serving as a floating refueling base for Japanese self-defense forces, Coast Guard, police, fire, and civilian aircraft. The 7 other ships in the fleet are being used for search and recovery operations.
The USS Ronald Reagan. Photo by Official US Navy Imagery
Five other military ships are en route to Japan from other regions of Asia. The USS Tortuga will deliver MH-53 helicopters. 300 Japanese troops and 90 vehicles to the area. The USS Blue Ridge is travelling from Singapore to provide disaster relief kits. The USS Essex was dispatched from Malaysia to assist in rescue efforts.
Thousands of American military are in the region to help the Japanese government as needed, including many spouses of my friends and neighbors living here.
CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopters were flown from Okinawa to devastated areas. They conduct rescues, transfer patients and casualties, and transport cargo and relief supplies.
Other aircraft deployed in relief efforts include KC-130J cargo aircraft, SH-60 helicopters delivering 1,500 pounds of rice and bread, surveillance aircraft, and C-17 air force tankers providing search and rescue equipment.
Currently other US duties include distributing food, blankets, and supplies and surveying damage, but troops are likely to take on communications and medical support soon.
In all honesty, these past few days my husband has not shared many details about what rescuers are up against. When he gets a rare chance to check in, he’s emotionally spent.
But he does believe challenges are mounting. US military personnel and aircraft have tested positive for low levels of radiation and infrastructure in some areas is so badly damaged that relief efforts are thwarted.
However, as I watch news coverage, I’m in awe of Japanese and international rescue workers who perform their difficult jobs. Considering the challenges, I’m relieved there’s been little criticism over rescue efforts. I’m also grateful for the people working so desperately to help.
The United States is not alone in offering aid to Japan. 90 other countries and 6 organizations have offered donations, rescue teams, and other support to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
Community Connection
Please check Matador’s guide to How You Can Help the Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan.
Mary Richardson
Mary Richardson is a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia. She currently lives in Okinawa, Japan, where she is a tour guide and travel writer. Read her stories at worldcurioustraveler.wordpress.com/.
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Wow, I had no idea the US had so much manpower and equipment available in the region. Thanks so much for sharing this detailed account of the recovery efforts that are underway.
I am surprised that you are surprised Heather, the fact is that the US keeps so much military personnel years after WWII was over has been very controversial since many of the US troops have exploited the local population, of particular significance was the rape of a high school girl some 15 years ago by three marines, but there is a whole list of crimes that the military has imposed on the citizens of Okinawa. And of course, a Japanese prime minister recently lost his job because he reneged on his promise to get the US bases off of Okinawa. I think your comment is a prime example of how US citizens are so unaware of what their US forces do, and where they are located.
MrG,
It’s so obvious your comment is meant to be inflammatory in light of the very positive and immediate efforts the US is taking to aid survivors.
Your negativity serves no purpose here!
The comment was not meant to be inflammatory, but it is bothersome when US citizens are unaware of a topic which is very sensitive in Japan, particularly in Okinawa.
Super important story, Mary. Thanks for telling it!
[...] How the US Military is Helping Earthquake and Tsunami Survivors in Japan by Mary Richardson (the wife of a military person helping to coordinate relief). Thanks to expatheather for this link. The soldiers we hosted for dinner a while back were based here in the Pacific. I hope that they are safe and helping those who need our help. [...]
[...] I wrote an article about it for Matador Network, which you can read here. [...]
[...] has seen many astounding amateur and professional videos of the quake and the resulting tsunami. As rescue efforts intensify it is important to continue to send aid and support victims of the [...]
Not sure of Mr. G’s perspective, and I will respect it without complete knowledge of where he is coming from, but I grow wary of people around the world who scream “we (the US typically) must do something to help Japan, Libya, etc.”, and then two years down the line protest against US involvement.
Reminds me of my two years being stationed in Korea, where the youth protested every weekend, and now…10 years removed…the youth are pissed that North Korea dropped a few artillery shells on South Korean islands.
Anyway…Mary…thank you for your husband’s support of the Japanese people, along with his comrades…and the families that pitch in and pray for their safety.
Mr.H
[...] First person experience in U.S. military relief efforts [...]