Photo By Cpl. Matheus Hernandez | Dr. Robert D. Eldridge speaks with an airport official during a visit to Sendai...... read more read more
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OSHIMA ISLAND, Japan – Nearly 30 members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific team visited the Sendai International Airport and Oshima Island, Jan. 12 and 13.
The purpose of the visit was to allow key leadership the opportunity to meet with their Japanese counterparts and to review community recovery progress since the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the main island of Honshu, March 11, 2011.
“I intend to continue to strengthen an already strong relationship with the people and Government of Japan,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III MEF. “I am truly impressed with how the restoration efforts have been going. I am so happy to see people smiling again.”
The first stop on the trip was to the Sendai International Airport where Glueck and Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, the commanding general of MCIPAC, met with airport officials to discuss the status of restoration of the airport.
Immediately following the disaster, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused millions of dollars in damage, Okinawa-based Marines deployed to mainland to offer assistance to the Government of Japan. The airport was severely damaged, causing a choke-point for relief supplies to the northern parts of the island. Spearheading the recovery efforts at the airport was Col. Jim Rubino, who served as the commander for the Logistics Element during Operation Tomodachi.
“It is humbling to see what this airport looks like now,” said Rubino, whose unit was responsible for helping to clean up all debris in and around the airport and clearing the runway, allowing follow-on relief supplies to be delivered to affected areas in the northern part of the island.
While touring the airport, several travelers expressed their thanks by waving and shaking the hands of the members of the group. One woman even expressed her gratitude and told the story of how the Marines helped her brother, who was stranded in his vehicle after the tsunami.
After touring the airport, the group boarded buses en route to Kesennuma City where they ferried to Oshima Island.
Following the tsunami last year, Oshima Island, with a population of more than 3,000, was isolated due to damage hindering ferry operations, according to Dr. Robert D. Eldridge, deputy assistant chief of staff, G-7, MCIPAC.
“U.S. Marines came to our rescue soon after the damage had been done,” said Katsuhiro Kawasaki, a resident of Oshima Island. “They helped us clean up and restore the roads.”
Kawasaki and his coworkers have been continuing the restoration of the island for the past eight months and said he is glad to see the relationships built during Operation Tomodachi are still flourishing.
“Coming so far to come see how we are doing proves we are true friends,” he said.
Arase Koki, a colonel in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, agreed with Kawasaki and said this visit truly highlights the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
“To have the number one and number two [Marine] leaders from Okinawa put this much effort into coming here to visit is great,” he said. “It shows their commitment toward the rebuilding of our communities and country.”
Another aspect of the visit was an evaluation of the success of the homestay program. The homestay program, which took place in the summer of last year, brought 25 children from Oshima Island to Okinawa to participate in a cultural exchange and to provide emotional relief to those affected by the disaster.
“It's amazing to see the resiliency of this country,” said Talleri. “They say to see the soul of a community, look into the eyes of its children. Allowing us, complete strangers, to open our hearts and homes to our young friends during a time of need was truly amazing,” he added.
Raymond W. Richards and his wife, Motoko, were one of the families on Okinawa who opened their homes to these children and said it was truly a pleasure to have been a part of something so special.
Richards has maintained contact with the two girls he and his wife befriended last summer.
“When my wife and I made the decision to open our homes to these two young ladies, we knew it was a commitment we were making for the rest of our lives.”
Another objective of the visit was to visit the Oshima District Disaster Response Center. There, the group discussed ways to alert residents if a disaster like this comes again.
Topics tabled included early warning systems and how to assist children and the elderly.
“Many people lost their lives because they did not know the tsunami was coming,” said Hironobu Sugawara, an adviser to the center and Kesennuma City assembly member. “One half of the island saw the 24-meter wave and the other did not.
“We come together today to learn from each other what can be done to be better prepared and to build on an already strong relationship,” he added.
Japan encountered another two earthquakes while the group was visiting Oshima Island, however, this was not to interfere with the relationship building being made.
“Geographically, Oshima Island is the closest of our islands to America,” said Shigeru Sugawara, the mayor of Kesennuma City. “ ... since Operation Tomodachi, we are even closer!”
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2012 07:59 |
| Story ID: | 82366 |
| Location: | OSHIMA ISLAND, AICHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 366 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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