Reserve Marines assist 1st MAW in support of Japan aid

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, AICHI, JAPAN

03.28.2011

Story by 2nd Lt. Lindsay Pirek 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan – Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, the “Rangers,” assisted the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Brigade Aviation Command Element in support of Operation Tomodachi here March 11-27.

VMGR-234 is stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

An air crew consisting of three pilots and seven crew members were flying a KC-130T Hercules cargo aircraft between Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Misawa Air Base when the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the eastern coast of Honshu, March 11. The crew was delivering cargo in support of Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st MAW.

As the natural disasters struck, the pilots remained in contact with air traffic control towers to determine a safe place to land, said Maj. Brian Richardson, pilot for VMGR-234.

The cargo aircraft was redirected back to MCAS Iwakuni, where the crew volunteered to remain in Japan to assist the relief efforts in any way possible.

The Rangers joined the Marines of VMGR-152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, III MEB ACE, the “Sumos,” providing an additional lift capability for the Marine Corps during Operation Tomodachi. The reinforced squadron contributed to the humanitarian assistance by transporting supplies, equipment and personnel from Okinawa to mainland Japan and between six airstrips on Honshu to include MCAS Iwakuni, Yokota Air Base, NAF Atsugi, Sendai Airport, Matsushima Air Base and Yamagata Airport.

“The whole crew is honored to have had the opportunity to assist our brother squadron, the ‘Sumos,’ and help the Japanese citizens through this tragedy,” said Maj. Kevin Mattix, pilot for VMGR-234.

VMGR-234 flew a total of 20 sorties over 44.8 hours in support of Operation Tomodachi. During these flights, the “Rangers” transported a total of 122,637 pounds of cargo and 208 passengers.

Relief supplies were transported to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force distribution centers, where the supplies were given to displaced families affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

The squadron returned to their home station March 27.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2011
• Date Posted: 03.28.2011 03:40
• Story ID: 67838
• Location: NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, AICHI, JP