Navy Logistics Supports Japan Disaster Drill

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120912-20
9/12/2012

By Sky M. Laron, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, Office of Corporate Communications

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka Site Atsugi personnel assisted Japan's Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) with relief supply operations Aug. 27 onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi in preparation for a full-scale disaster drill that took place in and around Tokyo Sept. 1.

"FLC Atsugi held an instrumental role in the Tokyo Metro Government Disaster Drill between multiple commands and the Tokyo Metro Government in coordinating the receipt and delivery of all humanitarian aid and disaster relief from local government units to HSL-51 squadron for helicopter airlift to Haneda Airport and other disaster drill areas," said Lt. Cmdr. James Venckus, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Atsugi Director.

Pallets of relief supplies from TMG were delivered by truck to NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Atsugi employees who then offloaded the supplies and ensured successful delivery to rotary wind aircraft operators who could make the much needed humanitarian deliveries to the affected areas during the earthquake disaster drill scenario.

Japanese military and other emergency personnel take part in the annual training exercise to better prepare themselves for major disasters, particularly if an earthquake where to hit the Tokyo area.

"This successful training evolution not only enhanced disaster relief preparedness capabilities throughout the AOR (area of responsibility), but continues to strengthen the U.S. - Japan bond in bi-lateral coordination between our two nations," said Venckus.

Most disaster drills in Japan occur around the anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake, which took place on Sept. 1, 1923 and caused the death of approximately 140,000 people.

More recently the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, Tsunami and subsequent Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Disaster were tragic reminders for everyone living in Japan that natural disasters are a very real and present danger that emergency personnel and residents alike must remain equipped and ready to respond against.

Operation Tomodachi, the joint U.S. and Japanese humanitarian effort following the 2011 earthquakes and tsunami highlighted the partnership between the United States and Japan in a time of emergency.

Many of Japan's city governments hope to demonstrate a strengthened relationship with neighboring U.S. military bases by expanding participation of U.S. forces in the disaster drills.

"Taking care of people is a big part of what we do," said Capt. Craig Doyle, Commanding Officer, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka. "The recent exercise with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shows that through strong relationships with our host-nation partners we can maximize our assets and put our people to work in a very constructive way that can save lives in the future."