Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sara Sexton | 160128-N-EM227-118 IWO To, Japan (Jan. 28, 2016) Sailors assigned to the...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sara B. Sexton Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA, Japan – A Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft slows to a stop on a runway that is nearly the same length of the island it is landing on. A glance at the choppy ocean outside the window confirms that the plane ride put the passengers on board nearly 1,000 miles off the southeast coast of Japan.
The more than 60 passengers, Sailors from the “Warlords” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, are experiencing a once in a lifetime chance to visit the island of Iwo To.
The island of Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, represents not only the location of one of the battles of World War II but during the past seventy years, has grown into a symbol that represents the history, the heritage and the alliance that the U.S. and Japan have established.
“In history class we learned about World War II and a little bit about the Battle of Iwo Jima,” said Jair Jones, undesignated airman from HSM 51. “But, I did some more research when I heard about the trip and the more I started reading, I felt like going on this trip would help me see how much our [U.S. and Japan] countries have developed over the years.”
Jones, the youngest of the group, said that he learned more from going on the trip that he ever learned in a classroom at school.
The group of Sailors made the trek to the top of Mt. Suribachi where four Sailors from the group had the privilege of re-enlisting in the Navy.
Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) Petty Officer 2nd Class James Griffin was one of the Sailors who reenlisted.
“This is simply a once in a lifetime opportunity to take the oath of enlistment in a place steeped in history and sacrifice where so many great Americans gave their life for our country,” said Griffin. “My grandfather fought in the Asia Pacific Theater and was one of the first Sailors to visit Japan during the rebuilding process after the end of the war. My grandfather passed away three months ago, so this reenlistment will be an honor to his memory and service to our nation.”
Other Sailors were just as excited for the opportunity to visit Iwo To as those that reenlisted.
“I never imagined I would have the opportunity to go to Iwo To,” said Brandon Velasquez, an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer 2nd Class from HSM 51.
Velasquez said he is excited to bring home some sand from the beach to send to some members of his family that are Marines.
Velasquez is just one of the Sailors that attended with familial ties to the United States Marine Corps and the battle of Iwo Jima.
“My grandfather served in the Marines,” said Lt. David Welborn, Material Control Officer (MCO) for HSM 51. “I’m hoping to bring back some rocks from the island for him.”
The familial ties that the Sailors have with Iwo To not only tie to the history of the events that took place on the sandy beaches but also the heritage of the location. For one Sailor, heritage is exactly what brought her on the trip.
“I am honored to walk the footsteps of the Marines who took charge and defended this island and also the Japanese who fought hard to defend Iwo Jima,” said Hannah Tecza, Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman from HSM 51. “My mom was born in Okinawa [Japan] in the 70s and she was adopted. I think that I may have had family that fought and died [on Iwo To].”
The Sailors had some opportunity to spend time on the beaches of Iwo To and to remember the events that took place. Some of the Sailors commented on the relationship between the United States and Japan.
“The value of Iwo To's location as a working airfield has not diminished,” said Welborn. “I think that the return of the island by the U.S. to Japan in 1968 and the subsequent renaming of Iwo Jima to Iwo To in 2007 were very significant and symbolic moments. I'm very appreciative of the special privilege granted to us to visit a place with such a deeply moving history for our two countries.”
The Sailors hiked more than 10 miles around the island, taking time to reflect on the different sights and memorials along the way. They found themselves at the beach where they paused to try to fathom what it was like on that same sand more than 70 years ago.
With their backpacks weighted down with the bags and bottles of sand they collected to send home to friends and family and more than enough for another bag in each of their shoes, they begin the walk back to the airstrip. Each with their own appreciation of what those who had gone before them had endured and strengthening the understanding of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2016 22:17 |
| Story ID: | 187461 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, JP |
| Web Views: | 144 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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