III Marine Expeditionary Force supports Japanese recovery efforts

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.15.2011

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan – The III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines continue to conduct coordination with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Northeastern Army at Camp Sendai that will enable resources to flow to the disaster area.

A High Speed Vessel carrying additional Marines and equipment arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni this morning. Two III MEF KC-130s based at MCAS Futenma, currently operating out of MCAS Iwakuni flew forklifts, life support systems and personnel to Yamagata Airfield, which has been chosen as a site for a Forward Arming and Refueling Point. Another flight is scheduled to depart this evening with a Helicopter Expedient Refueling System. The FARP and HERS allows aircraft to quickly refuel and maintain continuous operations, which greatly increases the ability of U.S. and Japanese helicopters to provide fast relief to disaster-stricken areas.

Additional FARP sites have been identified in Sendai and Hanamaki to increase the flexibility of U.S. and Japanese relief efforts, and planning efforts are underway to establish FARPs at these airfields as soon as possible.

The Marine Corps command element has been established in mainland Japan, and is responsible for coordinating Marine Corps relief efforts with U.S. Forces Japan, the lead U.S. military command coordinating relief efforts with the Government of Japan, and the Japan Self-Defense Force. The command element is conducting planning for the establishment of a Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center to supervise relief efforts.

Marines and sailors from III MEF are actively providing support for foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in mainland Japan. The operation, known as Tomodachi, means “friends” in Japanese, and was chosen by Japan. The total number of Marines, sailors, and civilians currently deployed from Okinawa in support of Operation Tomodachi is 427.

In addition, Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard ships, continue to move toward Japan. The 2,200 Marines and Ssilors are expected off the coast of mainland Japan on approximately March 16.

• Date Taken: 03.15.2011
• Date Posted: 03.15.2011 04:03
• Story ID: 67067
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP