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Repair, Maintenance Facility Assists with Japan Relief

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110329-19
3/29/2011

By Mark Elrod, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) Yokosuka has been heavily involved with Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) in coordinated efforts for Voluntary Military Assisted Departure (VMAD) and Operation Tomodachi since the launching of both efforts.

Since the onset of the quake and tsunami that devastated Japan, SRF-JRMC has helped with the movement of personnel; provided essential information to employees, their families, and other commands; raised donations for the victims; and helped ships get underway, including those in lengthy maintenance availabilities.

SRF-JRMC Sailors have been helping people board buses and load baggage at the VMAD processing centers located at the James D. Kelly Fleet Recreation Center and Personnel Support Detachment onboard CFAY.

"We're helping with the voluntary departure by carrying luggage and pets because many of the spouses aren't here to help their family members," said Navy Diver 1st Class (DSW/AW) Clessie Simmons. "It's really important for us to help the families when our shipmates can't be here."

Volunteer members of the SRF-JRMC Spouses' Club, U. S. civil service and military personnel are holding a food and clothing drive to raise donations for the disaster victims in northern Japan. Already this volunteer effort has resulted in several truckloads of relief items being sent to the disaster area.

"The drive will last as long as people are willing to give," said Amy Cronin, president of SRF-JRMC Spouses' Club. "The earthquake victims not only lost their homes and belongings, but also their jobs and places of business. The needs are not only immediate, but for the long term. We need to continually replace consumable items such as diapers, wipes, toothpaste, soap, food and water."

With the state of disarray in northern Japan, SRF-JRMC logistical support is paramount in helping to better the situation.

"Keeping the 7th Fleet operationally ready" is the SRF-JRMC mission, and during times like these, when our ships are on station contributing countless hours to humanitarian aid efforts, it means that much more," said SRF-JRMC's Master Chief Engineman(SW) Mike O'Brien.

"In the words of my master labor contract Sensei (instructor), Ryouichi Suzuki, 'Kizuna (the bond that brings people together) is why it is important not just for SRF-JRMC, but for all of us to help those most in need.' Everyone at every level of the chain of command has given so much of their time and energy to support the relief effort – this is the American spirit, and why we are part of Kizuna," he said.