The last large group of Department of Defense dependents departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka on March 24 as authorized by the voluntary military-assisted departure (VMAD).

On March 16th, the U.S. Department of State authorized the voluntary, military-assisted departure for eligible dependents of U.S. service members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians assigned to installations on the main island of Honshu, Japan.

The departure was authorized due to a deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northern Honshu after a 9.0 earthquake and the tsunami that hit the plant on March 11.

VMAD should not be confused with the term evacuation, as military and DoD civilians were not directed to leave. Each family had to make the decision based on factors for their unique situation.

“The best thing we have been able to do throughout this whole process is to give people a peace of mind during a very stressful situation.” said Ester Franklin, ASCS counselor at Yokosuka Middle School, who has volunteered to help with the processing at the fleet recreation center.

Fleet Activities Yokosuka registered and transported over 1,300 dependents who travelled by government contracted flights from Yokosuka to Seattle and Travis Air Force Base.

Personnel support detachment (PSD) Yokosuka has processed over 3,100 flight requests through the commercial travel office (CTO) for travel out of Japan since the authorization went into affect.

“We’ve gone into 24-hour service mode, setting up a three-section rotation so that we may accept requests for government-funded travel around the clock,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jed Espiritu, officer-in-charge, PSD Yokosuka. “The commercial travel office here has also put in long hours, coming in on weekends all without a single complaint, something monumentally important in this operation.”

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) hosts 82 tenant commands that support operating forces throughout the Western Pacific, including 11 high-operational-tempo warships forward deployed.

“Both PSD military and civilians have been working long hours since Saturday, and that is a testament to this detachment’s teamwork and dedication,”

CFAY, PSD Yokosuka, and other commands came together to accomplish a unified, customer-focused mission.

“Throughout this operation, I’ve seen continuous improvement in the way we process, track, and ticket flights,” said Espiritu. “I’ve watched customers here being kind and considerate to other customers and our clerks, despite some confusion and anxiety, even dropping off cookies and baked goods.” said Espiritu. “I’ve seen overwhelming support for Yokosuka dependents from our assigned Chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Doug Vrieland, the Fleet and Family Support Center, and various other commands that have volunteered to provide comfort and assistance to the family members departing from Japan.”

The last volunteer departure requests will be taken today, 25 March 2011.

Departed personnel will be provided return travel to Japan when directed by the Under Secretary of Defense.

“CFAY is looking forward to the return of family members who departed voluntarily,” said CFAY Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Gregory Vidaurri. “Once authorization is provided for the return of our familiy members, our goal is reunite our Sailors with their families as soon as possible.”

Story by MC2(SW/AW) John Smolinski
Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs
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Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) began transferring fresh water to two fuel barges, which will be used to support cooling efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant March 25.

A total of 1.89 million litres (500,000 gallons) are being distributed between the barges that have been cleaned of fuel to support fresh water. The first Barge YOGN-115 departed CFAY at approximately 11:00 a.m. and will be escorted by a Japan Maritime Self Defense Force multipurpose support ship JS Hiuchi (AMS 4302). The second barge is scheduled to leave within the next 24 to 48 hours. The water will eventually be used to replace the seawater currently being used in cooling efforts at the plant.

JS Hiuchi 4302

“We have two barges here,” said CFAY Operations Officer Lt. Cdr. Michael Weatherford. “They can both hold up to approximately 300,000 gallons of fresh water each. But the max capacity is reduced to make the barges seaworthy for ocean travel,” Weatherford explained. “The request was for one million gallons so when I told them we could get 500,000 gallons we started working on getting these barges released from our custody over to the [Japan Maritime Self Defense Force].”

Officers from the JMSDF were present on the pier to watch workers finish the final preparations before the barges left.

“This method was planned by the Japanese government after holding a council with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and others,” said JMSDF officer, Capt. Fumiyuki Kitagawa. “After having a discussion with other ministries and agencies, [the Japanese government] decided to have Japan Maritime Self Defense to carry barges to Fukushima this time.”

“Once it leaves Yokosuka, we figure about seven knots travel speed because it’s going to be towed by the JMSDF in the open ocean,” said Weatherford. “We’re estimating that it should reach its destination about 50 kilometers south of Fukushima within 35 hours from departure.”

After watching the barge leave, Kitagawa had a personal message for the people that had helped make this event happen.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Americans and the U.S. Navy personnel who provided us with prompt response in the wake of the earthquake. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Naval ships off the coast of Sanriku are still searching for the missing people and delivering foods to the victims in the shelters together. The hearts of the U.S. Sailors have been reaching Japanese people. I really appreciate it and am very proud that JMSDF and the U.S. Navy once again can work together. Thank you all, again,” said Kitagawa.

Story by Joe Schmitt
Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs
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Capt. Isaiah Manigault assists Staff Sgt. Nicholas Sweetman with his chemical protection suit March 20, 2011, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Sergeant Sweetman was preparing to scan a convoy returning from an urban search and rescue mission in Myagi, Japan. Captain Manigault is the deputy chief of the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight, and Sergeant Sweetman is a technician at the 18th AMDS Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly Spinner

Among the typical crews for disaster relief in mainland Japan is an atypical crew.

Amid concerns for the environment, two Airman from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron’s Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight has responded to the disasters there.

While other crews from here perform search-and-rescue operations and work to restore power in the neighboring cities, the 18th AMDS have deployed to Honshu island, sometimes known as mainland Japan, to aid Yokota AB in the testing for radiation and other contaminates in the surrounding environment.

Team members can conduct health assessments for hazards such as the exposure to radiation, (dangerous) chemicals and materials, and anything else that could harm the local populations, according to Tech. Sgt. Joanie Long, the bioenvironmental engineering flight readiness NCO in charge.

Though Sergeant Long stayed behind on this trip, she said the entire unit would have jumped at the opportunity to help more if they could.

“We just keep asking, ‘What could we do more?’” Sergeant Long said. “If we could, we’d all jump on the plane and go so we could help out.”

With these situations being so rare, most of the individuals in this career field may have trained for years without having to implement their skills in real-life situations.

Nineteen-year veteran Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Winslow, the bioenvironmental engineering flight chief and member of the deploying crew, said the last time he performed in a real-world emergency was 10 years ago, when he worked to detect uranium around a nuclear reactor at his first base.

Though it’s been a decade since he had to perform outside of an exercise environment, Sergeant Winslow said the team has been training vigorously over the years to prepare for situations like this one.

“I’ve been training (for this kind of situation) for 19 years,” Sergeant Winslow said. “We spend a lot of hours training every week, and with all of our experience in exercises and training, we’re very capable. I’m looking forward to being able to use my skill to help someone.”

US Air Force
by Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
18th Wing Public Affairs

CERF team in training. Airmen 1st Class Brittany Musha, Michelle Smith, and Senior Airman Rebecca Chase. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton

Members of a radiological assistance team landed aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to assist in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts March 19.

The team, consisting of 21 military and civilian personnel, comprise of personnel from Guam, Puget Sound, Wash., Norfolk, Va., and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Naval Ship Yards. Under the command of Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, the director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion and Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Naval Reactors, they will disperse to provide assistance to Essex, USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD 49), and USS Germantown (LSD 42). Their mission is to check for radiation on the aircraft and personnel of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) who go on the HADR missions to ensure they are not exposed to any radiation.

“We will be monitoring flight crews and any passengers that go out to the affected zones in Honshu,” said George Bowyer, a radiological physical science technician.

“We will be looking for any signs of radioactivity on the people and planes that return back to the ship from their missions,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Wade Gerloff, a radiological control technician. “If we find any signs of radioactivity, we will remove and prevent the spread to others on the ship.”

Among the equipment they brought aboard to help them perform their job are radiac survey meters, portable air samplers, and personal dosimetry. Each piece of equipment serves instrumental in helping the team perform their mission.

“The radiac survey meter monitors for radiation,” said Carlos Soto, a radiological control technician. “The portable air sampler takes samples and tests for radiation in the air. The personal dosimetry monitors for radiation a person may have been exposed to. These personal devices will be given to flight crews and random ship personnel. We use the data to see how much radiation each person may have been exposed to.”

While providing humanitarian assistance is the main objective of the crew, ensuring the safety of the men and women performing these humanitarian missions is the main objective of the radiological assessment control team.

“The safety of the crew is our first priority,” said Essex Commanding Officer David Fluker. “Without having a healthy crew in this environment, we can’t do our job.”

The Essex ARG, commanded by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 Capt. Bradley Lee, is comprised of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship Essex and the dock landing ships Harpers Ferry, Germantown, and USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Essex is currently off the coast of Japan to conduct HADR operations as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi.

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Johnie Hickmon
Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Japan on Facebook

USS Essex LHD2

Ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived off the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan, March 20 to provide humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Shortly after arriving, two UH-1N Huey helicopters from the 31st MEU conducted surveys of the Hachinohe coastline to determine what areas were damaged, which roads could be used, and where Japanese nationals might be in need of assistance.

“The initial needs of the Japanese appear to be route clearance and debris removal,” said Lt. Justin Jomoto, Amphibious Squadron 11 future operations officer.

After conducting a vertical replenishment with USNS Matthew C. Perry (T-AKE 9) on March 21, the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) launched four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters from the 31st MEU to deliver 800 gallons of potable water and 768 blankets ashore.

“I am extremely impressed with the performance of our Navy/Marine Corps team aboard Essex,” said Capt. David Fluker, commanding officer of USS Essex. “We were able to begin delivering water ashore today to our Japanese friends in need. The Essex team continues to stand ready to deliver whatever support is needed.”

With more than 150 amphibious vehicles and 20 aircraft, the MEU is able to provide extensive distribution services by ground and air. Amphibious Squadron 11 is also capable of providing meals ready to eat, fresh water and bilingual personnel to assist in communication between U.S. service members and Japanese citizens.

“The 31st MEU brings a tremendous amount of capabilities to this situation. Our MEU is configured ideally to support humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations,” said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. “Our Marine and Navy team can support delivery of resources through air, ground, or maritime platforms. We have medical staff, water production abilities, distribution resources, engineer assets, and much more to be able to help people who are suffering.”

ARG ships are capable of carrying out a variety of HADR operations using helicopters assigned to the 31st MEU and the Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 or amphibious craft assigned to Beach Master Unit One and Assault Craft Unit One.

“We have put ashore a forward command element at Sendai and liaison officers at the maritime response cell located at Yokota to liaison with host nation headquarters, in order to establish lines of communication, provide situational awareness and potential HADR tasking,” said Jomoto.

Each ship can provide fresh water, medical contingency support, search and rescue support, heavy lift capabilities and transportation via amphibious crafts.

The ARG can also use amphibious craft to transport Marines and supplies to the beach, as well as any victims back to the ship. Landing craft, air cushions can carry up to 23 people, while landing craft utilities can carry as many as 400. The ARG and the Marines of the 31st MEU are expected to focus their efforts in the vicinity of Miyako using its heavy-lift helicopters to deliver relief items ashore.

The Essex ARG is comprised of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the dock landing ships USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46).

USS Tortuga (LSD 46) is off the coast of Hachinohe serving as an afloat forward service base for helicopter operations. Two MH-53s from HM-14 picked up and delivered 15 tons of supplies from Misawa Air Base to Yamagata Station. It is also expected to conduct a replenishment with USNS Matthew Perry. Matthew Perry is carrying 189 pallets of humanitarian supplies which it will deliver to the Essex ARG and Reagan Strike Group over the next few days.

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Eva-Marie Ramsaran
Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Japan on Facebook