1st MLG assists humanitarian efforts in Japan

Photo By Sgt. Shannon Yount | Lance Cpl. Jayan A. Thibodeaux, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense specialist with G-3, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, packs his backpack with personal items at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 17, before leaving for Japan to assist in humanitarian efforts. Thibodeaux, 21, a native of Opelousas La., and Marines in his unit will be conducting survey missions to monitor radiation coming from the nuclear plant severely damaged in the disaster.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

03.18.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Shannon Yount 

1st Marine Logistics Group

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group were dispatched to provide humanitarian assistance to mainland Japan, March 18, in support of Operation Tomodachi, after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, March 11.

Specialists with Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense will be conducting survey missions to monitor radiation coming from the neclear plant severly damanged in the disaster.

It’s important to maintain the welfare of the service members who are assisting the natural disaster survivors, explained Gunnery Sgt. Darrin M. Minderman, CBRN defense chief, G-3, CLR-17, 1st MLG.

“This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to do what we are trained to do in a real life situation,” said Minderman, 34, a native of Timpson, Texas.

To prevent exposure to any type of radiation, CBRN defense specialists are expected to continuously monitor and survey populated areas and inspect military aviation assets that assist in humanitarian aid drops.

After aircrafts drop off essential supplies to disaster relief operations in mainland Japan, it is CBRN’s responsibility to assess the aircraft for contamination. When contaminate is present, it is their responsibility to de-contaminate the aircraft along with protecting any fixed-logistics sites, fueling stations and anywhere populated with essential personnel, explained Minderman.

“I think this will be an eye opener for a lot of the junior Marines,” said Sgt. Hunter R. Berryhill, CBRN defense non-commissioned officer, G-3, CLR-17, 1st MLG. “It shows them who the Marine Corps is and what we stand for.”

The quick response demonstrates the true Marine mindset of receiving the call and traveling halfway across the world in 48 hours, he explained.

“Once we were told we were going, my Marines dropped everything and started getting ready to go to Japan,” said Berryhill, 26, a native of Tallahassee, Fla. “It truly showed their dedication and loyalty to this uniform.”

Half of these guys are 20 or younger, but they are acting extremely mature and look forward to doing their part in supporting our allies, he explained.

“This goes back to why I joined the Marine Corps,” said Lance Cpl. Travis B. Armstrong, CBRN defense specialist, 22, native of Warrensburg, Mo., “To go overseas and help others.”

• Date Taken: 03.18.2011
• Date Posted: 03.28.2011 19:08
• Story ID: 67888
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US