Barge YOGN-115, carrying 1.04 million litres, 275,000 gallons, of fresh water, departs Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka to support cooling efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. CFAY port operations cleaned and filled two barges, totaling nearly 1.89 million litres, 500,000 gallons, of fresh water. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mikey Mulcare

A team of Marines specifically trained to operate in chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological environments is deploying to Japan, Defense Department officials said today.

A 155-member initial response force composed of Marines from Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md., could arrive in Japan as early as tomorrow, said Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokeswoman.

The unit is part of the Chemical, Biological, and Incident Response Force. The initial response force will support the U.S. on-scene commander by providing a rapid response capability. If requested, it could also advise Japanese authorities.

The Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant is leaking radioactive materials, and the extent of the damage to the plant is not known. The Marine force will bring equipment for agent detection and identification; casualty search, rescue and personnel decontamination; and emergency medical care and stabilization of contaminated personnel.

U.S. Navy barges containing 500,000 gallons of fresh water from Yokosuka are being used at the crippled nuclear power plant. The water will be used to replace salt water in the reactor cooling system to lessen the corrosive impact of salt from the sea water still being used for emergency cooling.

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Department of Defense

Hat tip to Information Dissemination

Two related stories from the Marine operation in southern Afghanistan.

Afghan National Police assisted by International Security Assistance Force troops have restored government control in the town of Khan Neshin, July 6.

The mission was part of ISAF’s ongoing mission, Operation Khanjar, designed to provide stable conditions for the Afghan people by disrupting insurgents’ lines of communication and freedom of movement in Helmand province.

Afghan National Security Forces accompanied by approximately 500 US Marines have moved into the Khan Neshin area, located in the Rig District, near the part of the Helmand River known as “The Fishhook.” This is the first time international forces have had a sustained presence so far south in the Helmand River valley. Khan Neshin had been an insurgent stronghold for several years before ANSF and ISAF troops arrived and began discussions with local leaders several days ago.

The mission to secure Khan Neshin was part of a larger operation undertaken by ANSF and ISAF and to stabilise towns along the Helmand River Valley in order to connect local Afghans with their legitimate government while establishing secure conditions for national elections scheduled for August.

ISAF

After a 10 hour bumpy, dusty drive through the desert, the United States Marine Corps has now secured one of the southernmost points of operations in Helmand Province and begun construction on what will be the largest Combat Outpost (COP) ever built by Combat Logistics Batallion-8 from Camp Lejuene, North Carolina.

“This is the tip of the spear,” said Capt. Chris Annunziata. “Everything that happens south of the river depends on us.”

Within minutes of bulldozer and excavators being unloaded from flatbed trucks, construction began on COP Payne which overlooks the Helmand river valley. Annunziata, the onsite officer in charge of the construction project said building the COP will take just 96 hours to complete. The COP will serve as a logistical centre for all operations that will eventually take place south of the river along the border with Pakistan.

By the end of the first day of construction, a ten foot wall of dirt and gravel surrounded the 600 foot by 600 foot compound and a burn pit was dug for disposing of garbage. As the same time, other crews are working on a fording site across the Helmand River and fortifying Khan Necsion, a former insurgent stronghold that will now be handed over to the district governor.

“I have the best equipped and most motivated Marines,” said Annunziata. “These men and women are true professionals and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” The Marines carried out their work under the oppressive Afghan sun with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees centigrade.

Across the river, a curious lone rancher and his herd of cattle watched as COB Payne took shape. He was the only Afghan seen since departing Forward Operating Base Dwyer the night before.

“I wasn’t expecting any contact with insurgents on the drive down here,” said convoy commander, Lieutenant Tabitha Pinter. “This was a complete surprise. The enemy had no idea we were coming and they had no idea we’d take the route we took.” The convoy of 35 trucks and armoured vehicles drove through 112 kilometre of barren desert where no roads currently exist.

The Marines are not letting the quiet beauty of the river valley catch them with their guard down.

“All was quiet when we built Fire Base Thunder. It was three or four days later the insurgents learned we were there and that’s when they started their attacks,” said Annunziata.

ISAF

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. 1st Class Jessica Gwillim repaints a wheel on an M2A3 Howitzer in front of an office at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Pvt. 1st Class Gwillim, a native of Johnstown, Pa., is assigned to the 9th Provisional Security Forces at the camp. Camp Lemonier is the hub of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, helping Africans solve African challenges, while fostering regional stability. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Zuccaro

It ain’t moving, so it gets painted.

Staff Sgt. Tracy Salzgeber, a 2007 University of Maryland graduate and Arabic interpreter with Civil Affairs Group, Regimental Combat Team 8, questions Seaman Tyler Ivy and Cpl. Micci Hedgecock on basic familiar Arabic phrases. Salzgeber instructs her Marines on Arabic culture and language skills weekly.

Photo by Cpl. Eric C. Schwartz

U.S. Marine Cpl. Crystal Tevar, a field wireman with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, on the left, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Maureen Herlihy, a technical data systems maintenance technician, engage Marcos Elementary School 5th grade students in conversation during a visit to the school, Oct. 20. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and sailors visited the elementary school to share quality time with the students and donate school supplies and sports equipment. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera)