1st Marine Aicraft Wing transports fuel to affected areas

Photo By Maj. Lindsay Pirek | Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force roll a 55-gallon barrel of kerosene out of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Shizugawa Bayside Arena, March 19. The arena is a JGSDF distribution point to hand out fuel to Japanese citizens affected by the tsunami.  

AICHI, JAPAN

03.20.2011

Story by 2nd Lt. Lindsay Pirek 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

NAVAL AIR STATION ATSUGI, Japan – Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (forward), III Marine Expeditionary Force transported 76 barrels of kerosene, provided by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, in six CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters from Tagajo Fuel Depot near Sendai, Japan, March 19 to distribution points throughout areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Kerosene for heating units began to run low one week after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami slowed transportation routes and caused damage to infrastructure along the coastline of Japan.

The JGSDF procured the kerosene, and then requested the help of the Marine Corps to transport the fuel by helicopter to distribution points.

The distribution points included Ishinomaki Josi High School, Shizugawa Bayside Arena, Onagawa Village and a JGSDF fuel point.

Once the kerosene arrived at its destination, the Government of Japan and JGSDF then provided the fuel to affected citizens.

“Today’s mission to transport barrels of kerosene was important because HMM-265 and the Marine Corps were able to assist the government of Japan and their military as they provided fuel and warmth to their people who were displaced by the earthquake and tsunami. Under Japanese oversight, we were able to augment their distribution capabilities with our CH-46s. We have been flying over the areas for the past seven days and we understand how cold the climate is. This was a rewarding mission for our Marines to successfully complete,” said Lt. Col. Damien Marsh, HMM-265 commanding officer.

The government of Japan is leading the relief efforts conducted in Japan. The Marine Corps is ready and responding to requests by the Japanese government to support the humanitarian assistance.
Marines, sailors and civilians of III MEF and Marine Corps Bases Japan arrived on mainland Japan March 12 and there are currently 676 personnel supporting the relief effort.

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• Date Taken: 03.20.2011
• Date Posted: 03.20.2011 03:35
• Story ID: 67377
• Location: AICHI, JP