USMC survey teams deliver aid to Sendai

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.16.2011

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan – Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams from III Marine Expeditionary Force surveyed heavily damaged areas today in Sendai, Japan, delivered much-needed water supplies and assisted the Government of Japan in coordinating relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi.

Marine aircraft have flown 76 sorties to date for continued support to the foreign humanitarian assistance missions. Marines also established a Forward Area Refueling Point at Yamagata Air Field, allowing aircraft and ground transportation vehicles to refuel while delivering support to those affected in the Sendai region. The FARP was deployed from Okinawa early Monday, March 14, on the WestPac Express high-speed vessel, and was unloaded yesterday at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni for further transport to Yamagata. Marines are in-place and currently setting up two refueling points.

In addition, 34 personnel assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36 and their equipment deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma today to provide maintenance capabilities for helicopter operations. The proximity of MCAS Futenma to mainland Japan has been critical to III MEF’s efforts to deliver aid and supplies in support of Operation Tomodachi to the areas that need it the most.

Marines and sailors from III MEF are actively providing support for foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in mainland Japan. Currently, there are approximately 481 Marines, sailors, and civilians from III MEF and Marine Corps Bases Japan forward-deployed in support of Operation Tomodachi.

• Date Taken: 03.16.2011
• Date Posted: 03.16.2011 03:01
• Story ID: 67149
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP