YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) - The last large group of Department of Defense dependents departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, March 24, as authorized by the voluntary military-assisted departure (VMAD). The U.S. Department of State authorized the voluntary, military-assisted departure for eligible...

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 24, 2011) - With more than 100 countries helping Japan recover from the devastating 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that battered the country March 11, language and communication barriers can hinder rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts. To...

YOKOSUKA, Japan - 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...

MISAWA, Japan (NNS) - Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14 (HS-14) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 51 (HSL-51) are continuing their humanitarian support for Operation Tomodachi from Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM), March 24. The squadrons are providing additional rotary force to...

PACIFIC OCEAN - Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) are receiving specialized training from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) workers while at sea, March 23. Among the 450 PSNS workers currently aboard the ship are five Mater Craftsmen who alone, bring more than 130...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (March 24, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continued sustainment of life efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi. In the past 24 hours, the fleet conducted 22 aid flights for Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HA/DR) supply deliveries. Commander Task Force 76 (CTF 76)...

PACIFIC OCEAN (March 24, 2011) - The men and women of the U.S. 7th Fleet and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force continue to inspire me with their selfless efforts to help the people of Japan during this extremely challenging and complex humanitarian disaster. Since arriving on scene two days...

DONGHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) - USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in the port of Donghae March 17 for a visit in preparation for exercise Foal Eagle 2011. Exercise Foal Eagle is an annual exercise designed to build upon the defensive capabilities of the ROK. Approximately 18,000 U.S. troops are...

PACIFIC OCEAN - The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continued humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts off the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan, March 23 in support of Operation Tomodachi. The Essex...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (March 23, 2011) - Seventh Fleet forces continued sustainment of life efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi. In the past 24 hours, the fleet conducted 49 aid flights, bringing 17 tons of relief supplies to displaced persons ashore. USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) conducted...

PACIFIC OCEAN - USS McCampbell (DDG 85) took on supplies to continue Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations off the eastern coast of Japan March 23. McCampbell Sailors moved tons of materials ashore to the civilian population in some of the hardest struck areas, as...

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The U.S. military’s top Pacific leader spent several hours at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) March 22 to answer questions and address concerns regarding events in the wake of the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan March 11...

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) will arrive to its homeport of Everett, Wash., March 24 after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. Lincoln left Everett Sept. 7, 2010. "The people of this community and Americans across...

NORTHERN JAPAN (NNS) - Patrol Squadron 4 (VP 4) took to the air from Naval Air Facility Misawa (NAFM) to conduct an eight-hour field survey of ports in northern Japan, March 22. Since their reposition to NAFM on March 16, the squadron is continuing its relief efforts by gathering information on...

USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (March 22, 2011) - A total of 19 ships, 140 aircraft and 19,703 Sailors and Marines of the U.S. 7th Fleet continued to conduct Operation Tomodachi relief operations. To date the Navy has made 349 deliveries of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to 84...

SEATTLE (NNS) - More than 120 family members arrived at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEATAC) March 21, from Japan. Sailors, Marines and civilians throughout Navy Region Northwest are working with their Army and Air Force counterparts along with other agencies, including SEATAC, Port of...

SEA OF JAPAN - 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...

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) - The USS Cleveland (LPD 7) deployed from its homeport in San Diego, Calif., kicking off Pacific Partnership 2011, March 21. The origins for Pacific Partnership are rooted in the 2004 U.S. response to the Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated parts of Indonesia and other...

PACIFIC OCEAN - 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...

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) - Five Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 at Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan, traveled to mainland Japan March 12 to join the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander Task Force 76. Four of the Seabees will work as subject matter experts...