Marines remain ready to respond

Photo By Cpl. Robert Maurer | U.S. Marines and sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force, step off a KC-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft in front of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma passenger terminal April 5 as they travel from supporting Operation Tomodachi on mainland Japan. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Robert J. Maurer)  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.05.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Heather Johnson 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Forward), III MEF, traveled from Sendai, Japan, to Okinawa, April 5, after assisting in relief efforts for Operation Tomodachi.

The U.S. military is positioning its forces for sustained support to the Government of Japan and Japan Self-Defense Force, mainly in and around the respective forward-deployed installations within Japan.

Operation Tomodachi is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission led by the Government of Japan and conducted by U.S. military forces and Japan Self-Defense Forces. The operation is part of a larger U.S. response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan, March 11.

Throughout relief efforts, Marines cleared debris and delivered supplies to help those affected by the disaster rebuild their lives.

Chief Warrant Officer Gregory M. Dangremond, a supply officer with CLR-35, said the primary effort of his Marines was to clear debris at Sendai Airport.

“This is the most rewarding operation I have ever been a part of,” said Dangremond.

“It was an amazing experience, and it feels great to be back from Sendai,” he said.

Master Sgt. Tarik Inge, with CLR-35 said some of his Marines helped clean out schools and distribute supplies directly to those who needed it.

Inge said he and his Marines benefited greatly from assisting in the operations.

“Working with our Japanese counterparts was a great opportunity,” said Inge.

“They were very appreciative of the Marines’ hard work,” he said.
Working alongside JSDF members felt like a friendship, according to Inge.

“My favorite part was being able to see the progress we Marines had made once we left,” he said.

• Date Taken: 04.05.2011
• Date Posted: 04.07.2011 01:19
• Story ID: 68378
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP