Marines provide showers for displaced residents

EAST MATSUSHIMA, AICHI, JAPAN

03.26.2011

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

EAST MATSUSHIMA, Japan - Marines and sailors attached to 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Forward) moved equipment and personnel to the Ooshiro Community Center here today to install shower facilities for residents here who have been without heat and water in the aftermath of the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that struck mainland Japan on March 11.

Marine aircraft have flown 411 sorties to date for continued support to the foreign humanitarian assistance mission. Overall, there are approximately 1,021 U.S. service members supporting the Joint Forces Land Component Command, headed by Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis and headquartered at Yokota Air Base.

Brilakis also serves as the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa.

The name Tomodachi means "friends" in Japanese, and was chosen by Japan. The government of Japan is taking the lead on all relief efforts, and the U.S. military is providing aid and support as requested by Japan.

For more stories, photos, videos and information about the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations being conducted by III MEF, please follow us on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/iiimef.mcbj
Flickr: www.flickr.com/3mefpao
Marines.mil: www.marines.mil/unit/mcbjapan

• Date Taken: 03.26.2011
• Date Posted: 03.26.2011 05:05
• Story ID: 67769
• Location: EAST MATSUSHIMA, AICHI, JP