More than 70 crew members of Patrol Squadron 4, currently on deployment in Okinawa, Japan, arrived at Naval Air Facility Misawa, March 16, to better assist with Japanese relief efforts.

The squadron repositioned their relief efforts in the wake of the recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami on Japan’s eastern seaboard.

The Hawaii-based squadron initially provided its efforts from Kadena Air Base, but the transition to NAFM will increase the Squadron’s time on site and reduce time in transit.

They will provide two aircraft and four combat aircrews rotating daily from NAFM, providing search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The repositioning, according to Cmdr. Kevin Long, executive officer of Patrol Squadron 4, could not have come soon enough.

“This is where we need to be,” he said. “Being on site for longer periods of time will allow us to do a more thorough search. Transiting from Kadena to the devastated areas required a total of six hours en route, coming here will dramatically decrease that.”

Long said he and his crew are prepared and ready for the missions ahead and are looking forward to cooperating with NAFM as they combine their resources to aid Japan’s recovery efforts in any way possible.

“Our guys are ready on arrival,” he added. “We are bringing a lot of support and are willing to provide assistance where needed.”

Lt. Matty Welch, a pilot assigned to Patrol Squadron 4, flew on one of the search-and-rescue missions when the squadron was operating from Kadena Air Base. He said he is happy they are in Misawa because from what he saw, the increased time on site they will gain from being in Misawa is needed.

“It is hard to describe the destruction,” he said. “Being here is going to be a huge benefit for us. “We are looking forward to the missions we will conduct out of NAFM and helping with the relief efforts from this vantage point.”

DVIDS

USS Russell (DDG 59) responded to a vessel in distress between Bossasso, Somalia and the Yemeni coast in the Gulf of Aden June 8.

A Combined Task Force 150 air asset notified Russell of the small boat’s distress call. Russell, operating nearby, proceeded at maximum speed and arrived on-scene to assist the vessel.

The 45-foot small boat experienced serious engine problems leaving it unable to operate at sea and had been adrift for two days.

There were approximately 70 personnel on board the vessel, some of whom were in need of immediate medical attention. Seven personnel were transferred to Russell and treated for severe dehydration and malnutrition. The vessel was also re-provisioned for the night and Russell is towing it towards Somalia where the small boat and patients will be turned over to Somali authorities.

Coalition forces have a longstanding tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance as well as search and rescue.

Russell, deployed as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, is operating as part of CTF 150. CTF150 conducts Maritime Security Operations between the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

DVIDS

Our prayers go out to the families of the Iraqis and to the family of the Coalition soldier.

MNF-I

Today at approximately 11:56 a.m., Coalition Combat Search and Rescue teams located the wreckage of an Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter north of Lake Thar Thar.

Recovery operations have been completed and there were no survivors. One Coalition force member was among the eight personnel onboard. Identities of the passengers and crew are being withheld pending notification of the families.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the brave service members who lost their lives in this tragedy,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, Multi-National Force – Iraq spokesman. “They have our deepest condolences.”

The helicopter was reported overdue and presumed missing Monday. The last reported contact with the aircraft was Monday at 2:40 p.m.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.