Japan Dads

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Comment by Brandon S. on March 18, 2011 at 11:24am

I have heard the same rumors about when or when not they will be returning to Japan. Seems that the media is sensationalizing this thing to the bone. This catastrophe will take decades to clean up so the chances of us returning to normal in Japan is minimal at best.

Comment by Jim G. on March 18, 2011 at 11:20am

You are absolutely correct, Paul...during my 8 years in the Navy I learned one thing above all else:  "Nothing is ever certain until it has already happened...and even then it is subject to doubt!"

 

In the coming days and weeks, there will be rumors of homeport changes, deployments, etc.  These are all rumors for now...the truly important thing is to let our sailors know that we are proud of them, that we support them and they are in our prayers.

 

I always prefer to leave the rumors to the media...

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 18, 2011 at 10:46am

I don't think anyone knows what is going to eventually happen here over the next three hours or days or weeks or even months...this situation is dynamic and evolving.....I think what DOD is saying is get non-essential personnel out and lets see where we are when the reactors are stable......and a personal opinion here- don't listen to the useless freaks in the new media

Comment by fishdad on March 18, 2011 at 10:37am

Am I understanding some posts correctly? Are they telling some of our Sailors and their families that they may not be returning to Japan?

Comment by Mark D. Chapman on March 18, 2011 at 10:04am

Of course my spelling was off. Sorry. She's stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base.

Comment by Mark D. Chapman on March 18, 2011 at 9:48am

Navy Dad Mark, She is stationed at Yosuka Naval Station. I thank you for your concern. I hope my spelling is correct. If not I'll be giving myself a quick crash course! Prayers and Best Wish's to all personel and there families as they help this country as well as other actions elsewhere. I truly thank this site for existing to provide us family's with current up-to date information. Again, Thank You.

Mark Chapman

Comment by Jim G. on March 18, 2011 at 8:51am

I spoke with my son, Aaron, last night.  He is stationed on the GW in the Reactor dept.  I just want to assure all of you that the "nukes" on board the GW are continuously performing thorough surveys of the ship and are taking all actions necessary to keep our sailors safe from any radioactivity from the reactor emergencies up north.  I will not go into detail, but can assure you as both a father of one of our sailors and as a nuke with over 25 years of experience that I am confident the measures being taken will assure the safety of our loved ones.

 

I am writing this primarily due to some of the exagerated reports in the media, and to reassure you all that the safety of our sailors is first and foremost in the minds of the Navy, even as they fulfill their mission.  There is no need for fear at this point. 

 

I am proud of each and every sailor, marine and family member represented in this forum who are so willing to help their neighbors in Japan!  When we have the opportunity to speak with our loved ones, they need to know that we support them, that they are in our prayers continually and that we are proud of them. 

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 18, 2011 at 8:24am

Gates Authorizes Humanitarian Funds for Japan

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has authorized up to $35 million in initial Defense Department funds for humanitarian aid to Japan, a Pentagon spokesman said this morning.

Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said the funding is in addition to $8 million in total planned aid to Japan from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The funds will be used to help earthquake and tsunami survivors on the main Japanese island of Honshu, where damage to reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has prompted DOD to authorize the voluntary departure of eligible family members from the island to the designated “safe haven” of the United States.

Eligible family members are those who are in Japan on orders because of their service member, Lapan said. They will be eligible for reimbursement for travel out of Japan. Family members in Japan simply visiting a service member are not eligible for travel reimbursement, the colonel explained.

“We have also suspended travel to the island of Honshu for all DOD dependent personnel,” Lapan said, adding that the authorization does not affect service members or U.S. civilian employees.

According to the DOD memorandum authorizing the travel, the “departure” status for family members who relocate will remain in effect until the State Department terminates it. State Department officials also approved voluntary departure of eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the Foreign Service installation at Yokohama and the consulate at Nagoya. Such authorizations are granted for 30 days, Lapan said.

The authorization applies to Yokota Air Base, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Misawa Air Base, Camp Zama, Yokosuka Naval Base and others, he said.

“The Department of State is working with the airlines on commercial and charter aircraft,” Lapan said. “If needed, we could use U.S. military resources both for the military dependent movement as well as some of the American citizen movement.”

Potential travelers could number in the thousands, depending on the number of military family members who choose to leave, the colonel added.

Although the United States is the designated safe haven, the authorization provides for a temporary staging stop in South Korea, where U.S. Forces Korea is preparing to provide temporary accomodations until travelers who pass through there move on to other locations, the colonel added.

Lapan also detailed Defense Department assistance to Japan from the U.S. Northern Command, based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., and ongoing assistance from U.S. Navy ships in the region.

A nine-member expert planning team from Northcom was scheduled to arrive in Japan today, Lapan said.

“The team will provide technical advice on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and hazardous material, as well as medical and logistical [support],” he said. “They will report to the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and work closely with the Japanese military to evaluate and assess whether more U.S. help is needed.”

As a precautionary step for U.S. service members, Lapan said, the Defense Department is moving supplies of potassium iodide and possibly other compounds from the continental United States in case they are needed. Potassium iodide is used in radiation emergencies to help in protecting the thyroid gland from poisoning with radioactive iodine, one of the products released during a nuclear accident.

U.S. ships in the region continue to provide assistance in the area, Lapan said.

The USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group continues operations off Honshu’s east coast, and the cruiser USS Cowpens cancelled its scheduled return to Yokosuka and is heading north to rendezvous with the Reagan.

“Reagan conducted three helicopter sorties yesterday, delivering some 7 tons of food and water,” Lapan said.

Helicopters from other ships in the strike group flew 12 sorties, he added, delivering more than 8 tons of supplies including food, bottled water, milk, juice, packaged meals, fruits, clothing, medical supplies and blankets.

“A total of 40 tons of aid has been delivered to date,” he said.

The USS Tortuga continues to load vehicles and personnel from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, which the vessel is scheduled to deliver in Ominato today, Lapan said.

The Essex amphibious ready group, made up of the USS Essex, the USS Harpers Ferry and the USS Germantown, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are operating in the Sea of Japan, he said.

“In the coming days, they will take position off the west coast of Honshu and begin conducting disaster response operations,” Lapan said.

The USS Blue Ridge, the flagship for the U.S. 7th Fleet, continues to steam north toward Yokosuka, he added.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 18, 2011 at 8:21am

31st MEU, Amphibious Ships Arrive off Akita Prefecture Coast
From 31st MEU Public Affairs

SEA OF JAPAN (March 18, 2011) A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) with the embarked 31st MEU arrived off the coast of the Akita prefecture to await further tasking in support of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran)

SEA OF JAPAN - The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 11, with a combined total of more than 4,000 Marines and Sailors, arrived off of the west coast of mainland Japan March 18, after a major earthquake and following tsunami caused extensive destruction to northeast Japan one week ago.

The USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are off the coast of Akita prefecture. The west coast of Honshu affords greater access to undamaged ports and roads, fewer navigational hazards, and prevailing winds that are upwind of the Fukushima power plant.

“This MEU is an organization ideally suited for humanitarian assistance in a coastal region such as this,” said Col. Andrew MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st MEU. “We have aviation and amphibious platforms capable of rapid delivery of relief supplies, medical assistance, transportation assets and engineer equipment to an affected area, which could be of great assistance to those in need right now.”

Helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, flying from the USS Essex (LHD 2) as it drew near the coast, conducted aerial reconnaissance of the port Akita area early this morning. The helicopters also conducted a survey of available road networks and airfields to the east, in preparation for potential supply routes and staging areas near the disaster zone.

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) is scheduled to prepare for the initial offload of disaster relief equipment and personnel in the port of Akita today.

The USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) remain operating at sea nearby in order to be available for offload and disaster assistance if directed.

“If approved for operations, the 31st MEU is ready to rapidly send vehicles and aircraft east toward the affected areas,” said Lt. Col. Michael Monti, operations officer, 31st MEU. “We can move water production capabilities to areas where there are water shortages, heavy equipment for debris removal, medical personnel to treat the wounded, and many other capabilities to help those in dire need.”

The MEU can also provide extensive distribution services by ground and air with its compliment of more than 150 vehicles and 20 aircraft, according to Maj. Don Shove, assistant operations officer, 31st MEU.

A six-man forward command element of the 31st MEU is headed to Matsushima, Japan, in order to coordinate initial efforts for disaster aid planning with officials already on scene. Two members of the MEU are also in Yokota coordinating efforts to provide relief.

“Our arrival is in support of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the government of Japan in Operation Tomodachi,” said MacMannis. “We hope to receive orders to go to the aid of those in need as quickly as possible.”

The U.S. military has approximately 17,000 service members involved in relief operations in Japan, the Pentagon said.

The earthquake was measured at magnitude 9.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey, and triggered a following tsunami with waves as high as 32 feet.

The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 have responded to four humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations in the last two years. The Navy and Marine Corps team is prepared to deliver robust air, ground, and maritime transportation; medical and dental health services; distribution services; and engineering assets as directed.

The 31st MEU includes more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is comprised of four elements: the Command Element; Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and CLB-31.

The 31st MEU provides a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based force capable of supporting the ongoing Japanese humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as directed.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on March 18, 2011 at 8:19am

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