MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan – Yesterday, Marines and sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Humanitaraian Assistance Survey Teams conducted patrols in Matsushima and the Ofunato Port to determine the extent of damages from a tsunami that struck after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake March 11.
HAS teams, with members from both the U.S. and Japan, are made up of civil-military operations specialists, medical officers and engineers, that work with Japan Self-Defense Force personnel to determine what aid and support the towns will need to rebuild. In addition to the survey capability, they can also provide limited medical support, and distribute supplies to areas hardest hit by the natural disaster.
The name Tomodachi means “friends” in Japanese, and was chosen by Japan.