HMM-265 Marines deliver relief supplies to areas inaccessible by road

AICHI, JAPAN

03.27.2011

Story by Cpl. Brandon Saunders 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

ATSUGI, Japan – Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 continue to support flight missions during Operation Tomodachi transporting supplies to location inaccessible by road.

In response to government of Japan requests for assistance, the Marines and sailors of III MEF are conducting various missions to contribute to Operation Tomodachi disaster relief effort following the March 11 natural disaster in the northeastern region of Japan. Tomodachi means “friendship” in Japanese, and the operation is a reflection of the long-standing alliance between U.S. and Japan.

The Marines of HMM-265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), have contributed to the relief effort by transporting more than 59 thousand pounds of relief supplies by CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter to the affected areas of Japan.

To maintain the high tempo flight schedule, the helicopters receive continual preventative maintenance. Marines assigned to the squadron are on-call around the clock to provide support.

“We make sure the birds are in proper working condition,” said Cpl. Michael I. Tan, an avionics technician with HMM-265. “They need to function properly to safely accomplish whatever critical mission comes our way.”

HMM-265 is III MEF’s forward-deployed helicopter squadron for Operation Tomodachi. They are fulfilling a critical need by transporting supplies to remote areas that cannot be reached by road.

Marines tasked to maintain the machines said they understand the importance of the Marines’ mission here.

“We’re here to help the Japanese people by supplying much needed cargo during their time of need,” said Sgt. Nick A. Inca, avionics supervisor, collateral duty inspector and air observer with HMM-265.

The government of Japan is leading the humanitarian assistance efforts. The U.S. is prepared to augment their efforts with all available assets and equipment upon request.

“Japan is our home too,” said Tan. “We feel honored to help (the Japanese people) in this time of crisis.”

• Date Taken: 03.27.2011
• Date Posted: 03.26.2011 22:22
• Story ID: 67789
• Location: AICHI, JP