Photo By Cpl. Darien Bjorndal | Japan Maritime Self Defense Force personnel, U.S. Navy sailors and U.S. Marines load...... read more read more
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The first earthquake struck the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu, April 15. For nine more days, aftershocks rumbled on. The largest, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake April 17, prompted Japan to ask the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for help.
Within 24 hours, the 31st MEU responded with eight MV-22B Ospreys, which delivered relief supplies to the most affected areas struck by earthquakes.
Within seven hours, four Ospreys with Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), flew from Manilla, Philippines to link up with the 31st MEU at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
Within 24 hours of departing Manilla, the Ospreys were on the ground in Minamiaso, Kumamoto, Japan, the area most affected by the earthquakes. There, they assisted the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in delivering relief supplies to the disaster victims.
The four other Ospreys flew from MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, to join the relief effort, April 18.
"(Japan) requested the MV-22B Osprey for use in this relief effort because they understand the unique capabilities of the aircraft," said Lt. Col. Christopher M. Murray the commanding officer for VMM-265 (Rein.), 31st MEU. "The speed and range enabled the aircraft to be based well outside the affected area while still maintaining a very rapid response posture to deliver supplies to those in need."
Throughout the week, the Ospreys delivered relief supplies, including blankets, toiletries, food and water, to a distribution point at the Hakusui Sports Complex in Minamiaso.
The Ospreys were particularly useful during the relief efforts because of the combination of their vertical take-off and long-range capabilities. They could fly from Iwakuni to Kyushu in approximately 30 minutes, like C-130s, while vertically touching down at a small landing site, like CH-53 Superstallions.
"From MCAS Iwakuni, we were able to rapidly deliver large amounts of supplies to and from multiple landing sites, including the JS Hyuga and the Hakusui Sports Complex that is located in the heart of the devastation," said Murray.
In addition to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181), 31st MEU Osprey also picked up supplies from JSDF Camp Takayubaru at Kumamoto Airport.
During the five-day relief effort, the Ospreys were able to deliver a total of 82,700 pounds of relief supplies for the JGSDF to earthquake victims gathered at Hakusui Sports Complex.
The 31st MEU has regularly been involved in disaster relief operations through its recent history.
“The capabilities of the 31st MEU extend beyond warfighting,” Said Col. Romin Dasmalchi, the 31st MEU commanding officer. “The MEU has carried out four humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in six years at locations throughout Pacific because our Air-Ground Task Force allows us to be the premier Pacific quick reaction force. The MEU's rapid planning and constant readiness enable us to respond to a crisis within 24 hours with capabilities that are effective in austere environments.”
31st MEU has been part of three other disaster relief efforts in the past five years: Typhoon Soudelor relief in Saipain in the Northern Marianas in 2015, Operation Damayan in the Philippines in 2013 following Super Typhoon Haiyan, and Operation Tomodachi in Japan in 2011 following a devastating earthquake and tsunami. During Typhoon Soudelor relief efforts, the 31st MEU delivered more than 385,000 gallons of water, 47,000 individual meals and 10,000 lbs. of emergency supplies. In Operation Damayan, 31st MEU delivered nearly 100,000 pounds of food and supplies via Ospreys to isolated villages not accessible by land. The 31st MEU Marines assisted as part of Operation Tomodachi by participating in clean-up efforts and the distribution of relief supplies, including food and water.
Although the 31st MEU’s part in the most recent relief operations has ended, the operations themselves continue.
“Our support of relief operations was only part of a larger effort by the Government of Japan. We assisted the Japanese Self Defense Forces to deliver relief supplies, but the government, JSDF and NGO s’ efforts continue to aid those still suffering from the earthquake damage,” said Dasmalchi. “Many homes are lost and lives impacted. Although our part of the mission is over, our Japanese partners will continue to the long working of rebuilding.”
The MEU Marines came away from the experience with a renewed appreciation for their role in the Pacific theater and required state of readiness.
"It was a humbling experience that will not soon be forgotten,” said Sgt. Nicholas Attikai a MV-22B crew chief with VMM-265 (Rein.), 31st MEU. “This is the second time I've helped in a relief effort by delivering supplies; the first was helping out the relief efforts in Saipan last summer."
“I'm extremely proud of the work that MEU has done during these support operations,” said Dasmalchi. “I am honored that we could work alongside the Japanese Self Defense Forces and be part of such an important mission.”
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2016 08:50 |
| Story ID: | 196979 |
| Location: | JP |
| Web Views: | 502 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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