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Naval Aviation Reserve VR Forces Provide Critical Aid to Japan

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110325-40
3/25/2011

By MC2(SW) Briana Brotzman, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Hundreds of Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons across the United States were diverted from routine operations March 12 to support Operation Tomodachi, the joint humanitarian relief effort in Japan.

"These men and women are working around the clock in lockstep with Commander, Fleet Air Forward's pressing needs; delivering food, shelter, and specialized response teams to the worst hit areas," said Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces Reserve, Capt. Eric Petersen. "The recent disaster has had incalculable impacts on the country and all those living there."

Six Navy Reserve VR aircraft are on station at Naval Air Facility Astugi, Japan - two C-9Bs from the "Taskmasters" of VR-52 out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pa.; two C-40As from the "Sunseekers" of VR-58 stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., and two C-130T from the "Nomads" of VR-62, also from NAS Jacksonville.

"Navy Reserve Sailors help out of pride: as neighbors, allies, and friends," said Petersen. "These Sailors pride themselves on being trained for these events, therefore the execution phase comes as no surprise."

With relief efforts still underway, VR squadrons perform multiple-day/multiple-hit missions transporting hundreds of personnel, radiological equipment, cargo, humanitarian supplies and support movements of both operational units and civilian relief transports.

To accomplish their primary mission: Provide necessary logistical support to all Navy resources in Japan; squadrons fly the C-9 "Skytrain" (comparable to the DC-9 airliner), the C-130 "Hercules," and the C-40 "Clipper" (comparable to the Boeing 737 airline transport), which can be modified to transport 121 passengers, eight pallets of cargo, or a combination of up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers.

"Naval Air Force Reserve VR squadrons provide 100 percent of medium-lift air support to the Navy," said Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) Operations Officer Cmdr. Jack Hill. "There is no active duty equivalent. In a humanitarian aid and disaster relief situation, the mission is to do whatever is needed, whether it's transporting supplies or people."

"VR has had some experience with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief," said Petersen. "When the U.S. awoke to the disaster unfolding in Japan, the Fleet Logistics Support Wing was preparing to respond. The request came one day later, but Reserve Sailors affiliated with VR squadrons were already lined up, prepared to go into the fray. Without a doubt, the rapid response of these teams exemplifies the professionalism of these Reserve Sailors."

Navy Reserve Sailors responded similarly in January 2010 to support Operation Unified Response in Haiti, transporting water, food and medical personnel.