Marines to Join Disaster Relief Effort in Japan

Forty-eight Marines attached to the 2nd Battalion, 5th regiment are shipping out from Camp Pendleton either today or tomorrow to help with relief efforts in Japan, according to a Marine spokesman at the base.

The Marines from Camp Pendleton are an amphibious ready group, and are part of a Battalion Landing Team, or BLT. They will join the relief effort as part of Operation Tomodachi, the name for the mission to aid the Japanese after the tragic earthquake and tsunami last week.

“First and foremost, it is important to understand that the Marine Corps’ efforts are only one part of the Department of Defense response to a request for assistance from the Government of Japan,” said Chuck Little, the Marine Corps Forces Deputy Director of Public Affairs in a release. “Our alliance with Japan and our friendship with its people are strong and we are committed to assisting Japan during this tragedy.”

In support of the multi-lateral assistance effort, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) is already providing humanitarian assistance to disaster-stricken areas. 

Currently, there are more than 550 Marines in the III MEF based in Japan. 

Marines, as part of Operation Tomodachi, have been responsible for providing a temporary facility that allows aircraft to conduct continuous operations without having to return to an established airport to obtain fuel. This capability enables helicopters to continuously fly rescue and transport missions in tsunami-ravaged environments.

A “Deployable Joint Command and Control” rapid response system has also been established at Naval Air Station Atsugi. The system provides joint command and control systems to oversee operations. 

An “Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group” will also be established in support of III MEF Forces, to include helicopter support teams and a liaison to distribute humanitarian aid.  To date, III MEF has flown 178 sorties in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Four Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams have been deployed to the island of Honshu as well. These teams continue to assess damaged areas and are helping to assist Japan with providing accurate information to military and civilian disaster relief planners so they can distribute supplies and provide basic medical care for those in immediate need of aid.

Additionally, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is currently off the west coast of Honshu, preparing to assist as directed. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard three ships of Amphibious Squadron 11. The 31st MEU includes more than 2,200 Marines and sailors that provide a flexible, sea-based force capable of conducting amphibious and crisis response operations.

The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, based out of Ft. Worth, Texas, has also been called upon to serve in Operation Tomodachi.  

Deputy Director Little concluded his statement to Patch.com by saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people that have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami.”