Maritime Contingency Force Concludes Operation Tomodachi

By Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

Posted: April 9, 2011

PACIFIC OCEAN – The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) wrapped up relief operations with the Japan Maritime and Ground Self-Defense Forces in support of Operation Tomodachi on April 7.
 

OSHIMA ISLAND, Japan (April 7, 2011) – Two children hold a banner with their mother, thanking Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for their work. The Marines and Sailors spent about six days cleaning up debris on parts of the island, during Operation Field Day. The 31st MEU’s involvement is part of the larger Operation Tomodachi, coordinated after a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. The 31st MEU remains ready to support its Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon. (Official Marine Corps photo) | Download

After nearly three weeks of conducting humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts for Operation Tomodachi, which means ‘friendship’ in Japanese, to assist the Government of Japan in responding to the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan, March 11.

On the day of the disaster, the 31st MEU was in Southeast Asia in various countries conducting exercises and training. The Marines embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2 had just completed an exercise in Cambodia, upon arriving in Malaysia for a port visit. When 31st MEU leadership received news of the tsunami, they initiated an immediate recall of all personnel, who were away from the ship on liberty. The ship quickly took on some supplies, and in less than 24 hours was underway to Japan where it met up with USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

Germantown and Harpers Ferry were both in Indonesia with elements of the 31st MEU embarked, who were scheduled to participate in a large humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise starting March 12. But, both ships were immediately alerted upon news of the disaster and headed back to Japan..

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st MEU first arrived off the coast of Akita, Japan, March 17 and to start flying coastal surveillance flights. Then, on March 22, the ARG repositioned off the east coast of Japan, near the city of Hachinohe.

The 31st MEU immediately started ferrying relief supplies ashore via helicopters of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, as the squadron delivered water, blankets, and other health and comfort items. HMM-262 conducted a total of 15 survey missions and 204 supply delivery missions with nearly 300 hours of flight time.

“We train for this, we’re good at this, and in fact, in the last 3 years, the MEU has conducted five different humanitarian assistance missions,” said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. “Most of the Marines aboard have executed a mission or have trained and been evaluated on it.”

On March 27, the MEU and Essex ARG’s started disaster relief operations on the isolated island of Oshima. The units transported relief supplies, which included moving commercial electric utility vehicles, a fuel truck, water re-supply vehicle and civilian workers from the Tohoku Power Company by a landing craft utility to restore partial power to the cut-off island.

Two pallets of clothes, blankets, food and toys donated by Marines and Sailors were flown to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter-carrying destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) by Marine helicopters, where they were distributed to displaced residents of Oshima Island, who were temporarily embarked aboard the ship.

Working alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the 31st MEU delivered 15,000 pounds of supplies to the island and cleared tons of debris from harbors, roads and beaches. Marines also created temporary shower facilities allowing residents to bathe. For some it was the first time they had been able to take a shower since the tsunami struck.

“When I first heard about the mission it was a little bit of a surreal feeling because the MEU trains for missions like this,” said Capt. Bradley Gibson, CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter pilot with HMM-262. “Although it is a devastating time for the people of Japan, it is also exciting to be able to execute the mission and use the training. There is an immediate sense of pride when you know you’re going to be part of something that is going to help so many people.”

In total, the 31st MEU and the Essex ARG moved more than 160,000 pounds of relief supplies to those affected by the disaster.

“It’s great to have this sort of opportunity,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Emilio Casenave, with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. “I’ve never seen anything like this. These people are in a horrible situation, but it’s a great feeling knowing something we did actually impact someone’s life and helped make it better.”

JMSDF Lt. Hiroaki Tanaka, who served as a liaison officer between Japanese and U.S. Forces in the area, expressed appreciation on behalf of the people of Japan.

“Thank you,” said Tanaka. “We are extremely thankful for your help and cooperation. I will never forget everything you have done for us.”

As it currently stands, the 31st MEU does not have any other relief missions planned. The MEU remains available for tasking, but does not expect the Government of Japan to require further assistance.

The Marines have helped their friends in their time of need and stand ready to support any cause as directed.

The 31st MEU is the United State’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains ready to respond to a wide range of crisis and contingency operations.