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Sat, 2011-03-19 23:41 — Kathy Gilbeaux

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Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update 03/19/2011

March 19, 2011

United States: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has authorized up to US$35 million in initial Defense Department funds for humanitarian aid to Japan. (AFPS, Mar 17) The US has established Operation “Tomodachi,” which is Japanese for “friendship.” (OCHA, Mar 15), and will be led by Japan SDF. The operation team is a joint task force of the US armed forces that are prepared to provide a multitude of capabilities including equipment, air, sea and ground capability and expertise, including SAR provisions, medical services, food, shelter, command and control, and fuel. According to the Department of Defense (DoD) as of Wednesday (Mar 16), there are 14 US Navy ships, and 17,000 sailors and Marines involved in humanitarian assistance and helping to support disaster relief operations, led by the GoJ.

According to the DoD, US Forces-Japan (USFJ) is coordinating with the US Embassy in Tokyo to support the GoJ response. USFJ is the lead US military command, coordinating relief efforts 22 with the GoJ and Japan SDF. They are providing air transport of Japanese SDF personnel and vehicles responding to the disaster. Additionally, they are providing emergency relief supplies, including safe drinking water and blankets to affected populations. JSDF has established a Joint Task Force in Yamagata Prefecture in order to establish a Operations Center which will facilitate coordination of all foreign military aid efforts and establish a refueling location for helicopters. (USAID, Mar 14) The US has permitted the GoJ to use Misawa and Yokota airbases for aircraft carrying humanitarian personnel and supplies. (USAID, Mar 13) The US has also delivered two fire trucks from military bases to be used by the Japanese, who have also requested more hoses and pumps. (AFPS, Mar 16)

 

US Navy (USN) 

US Seventh Fleet remains committed to assisting Japan in relief efforts, having 12,750 personnel, 20 ships and 140 aircraft participating in Operation Tomodachi. 

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived on Sunday (Mar 12) and is set to serve as a place for Japanese helicopters to land and refuel. The Reagan Carrier Strike Group, including the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the destroyer USS Preble and the combat support ship USNS Bridge, are conducting operations off the coast of Honshu Island and is at a safe distance northeast of the Fukushima nuclear complex. Also conducting humanitarian operations off the east coast of Iwate Prefecture, are guided-missile destroyers, USS Fitzgerald, USS John S McCain, USS McCampbell, USS Mustin and USS Curtis Wilbur. PACOM reported three US Navy liaison officers are on JS Hyuga to coordinate US operations with Japan Maritime SDF leadership.

Helicopters from the USS Reagan strike group and Carrier Airwing Five Atsugi, delivered 28 tons of food, water, clothes, medicine, toiletries, baby supplies and kerosene to displaced persons at 15 relief sites. (PACOM, Reuters, AFPS, Mar 13-18) Meanwhile, the cruiser USS Cowpens continued to travel north to rendezvous with the Reagan Carrier Strike Group and is expected to connect with the Strike Group overnight. The USS Shiloh has begun moving from Yokosuka to deliver relief supplies to the Strike Group. (PACOM, Mar 18) 

 

After the USS Tortuga, an amphibious dock landing ship completed offloading 273 Japan GSDF, 93 vehicles and equipment in Ominato, (Thursday, March 17), the ship departed towards the vicinity of Hachinohe where, it will serve as an afloat forward service base for helicopter operations. CH-53 Sea Stallion aircraft from HM-14 attached to USS Tortuga delivered 13 tons of humanitarian aid cargo, including 5,000 poinds of water and 5,000 MREs to Yamada Station. (Reuters, AFPS, PACOM, Mar 15-18) 

Meanwhile, the USS Blue Ridge, remains in the vicinity of Okinawa to conduct transfers of supplies and additional personnel to strengthen staff. (PACOM, Mar 18) 

 

Due to the threat of “radiological and navigation hazards,” the Navy said some arriving warships, the USS Essex, a large amphibious assault ship carrying a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the USS Harpers Ferry, a dock-landing ship and USS Germantown, an amphibious dock-landing ship, are now operating in the Sea of Japan. PACOM reported that the ships23

arrived off the coast of Akita prefecture Friday afternoon. Marines of the 31st MEU established a Forward Control Element in Matsushima in order to coordinate disaster aid planning with officials already there. (Reuters, PACOM, Mar 15, 18) 

The USNS Safeguard delivered on Wednesday (Mar 16) high –pressure water pumps to Yokota Air Base for transfer to the Japanese government for use at the Fukushima power plant, while four pumps were delivered from Sasebo. (AFPS, Mar 16)

Carrier Airwing Five completed the relocation of 14 rotary-wing aircraft, and are now positioned for quick response to humanitarian missions in northeastern Honshu, Also, P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron Four conducted two aerial survey missions or ports and airfields in northern Honshu on Friday. (PACOM, Mar 18) 

 

US Marine Corps (USMC)

Marines and sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) are supporting relief operations and its subordinate units are providing command and control, aviation and logistics support. Because of the proximity of aviation assets at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Marines from III MEF are quickly able to deploy critically needed supplies and aid to areas most in need. PACOM reported on Friday (Mar 19) that the USMC had made available, eight KC-130J cargo aircrafts, and eight CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters based out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to support Operation Tomodachi. Meanwhile, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade is located at Tokota Air Base with USFJ. Marines have connected with the Northeast Army of the Japan GSDF. To date, III MEF has flown 80 CH-46 sorties and 98 KC-130 sorties in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Four Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams (HAST) that the USMC deployed to Honshu continue to assess damaged areas and assist the GoJ with providing accurate information to disaster relief planners, both military and civilian. These teams are capable of distributing supplies and providing basic medical care for those in urgent need of aid. III MEF has facilitated the re-opening of an airfield in Sendai. (USAID, Mar 16)

 

US Army

Commander of US Army Japan, Maj Gen Michael T. Harrison, Sr, held a series of town hall meetings to talk to local civilian employees, soldiers and dependents, and Department of the Army Civilians regarding the scope and impact of the voluntary departure plan. Meanwhile, the USARJ Disaster Assessment Team (DAT) remains integrated with the JTF (FWD) complimenting their operations. The USARJ Aviation Detachment self-deployed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Yamagata airfield to provide JTF (FWD) additional mobility to continue planning for a future Humanitarian Assistance supply Logistical Support Area. (PACOM, Mar 18)

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