YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --
The Marine Corps is known for being uniquely trained, equipped and organized to maintain a constant state of global readiness and the ability to plan and mobilize for any ship-to-shore operation within a matter of hours.
Earlier this month, the Marines of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, began planning for their participation in the month-long exercise Balikatan 2011, an annual bilateral training exercise designed to increase interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military.
Little did the Marines of 3rd MarDiv know, their mission would be drastically changed after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck 231 miles northeast off the coast of Tokyo, triggering a tsunami and setting into motion the division’s ability to react and deploy manpower, assets and equipment to help the people of Japan.
Advanced-party Marines had already departed for the Republic of the Philippines and the main body was soon to follow, when the task order came down for 3rd MarDiv to assume command of the Joint Forces Land Component Command in support of Operation Tomodachi, said Master Sgt. Cortez L. Pree, training officer and JFLCC senior watch officer, 3rd MarDiv.
The JFLCC is responsible for synchronizing actions on the ground and coordinating for the smooth flow of humanitarian assistance to the people of Japan.
3rd MarDiv immediately switched gears as 26 logistics Marines coordinated the movement of personnel and gear, said Pree. As of now 3rd MarDiv has more than 900 Marines, sailors and civilians supporting Operation Tomodachi.
The Capability Set Command and Control tent and equipment was already embarked for BK-11, however, Division Marines were able to reallocate resources, said Pree. Along with assistance from U.S. Forces Japan, the division acquired the assets to set up the Joint Operation Center to command and control the logistically-intense operation.
“The division just recently completed Exercise Yama Sukara and it provided 3rd Marine Division with valuable training experience to synchronize resources to maintain command and control, as it prepared us for this real world mission,” Pree added.
This mission was somewhat challenging, however, the Marines of 3rd MarDiv reallocated their resources across the Division to conduct BK-11, Operation Tomodachi, and continue supporting other training events, while the Marines in the rear continue to function as normal with split operations.
“This operation has provided new insight for me working in a joint environment,” explained Pree. “This is my first time working in a joint environment at the Division level for a humanitarian mission, and this validates that 3rd Marine Division remains as a force in readiness.”
JFLCC personnel continue to work around the clock in support of Operation Tomodachi.
“This is an example of the flexibility of our forces,” said Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, 3rd MarDiv commanding general and JFLCC commander. “When the task was given for us to take responsibility for the JFLCC mission, we were able to shift focus and properly allocate our resources in order to conduct operations.”
“We train to be able to rapidly shift gears and provide the support necessary to accomplish the mission whether the task is an exercise, operation or relief effort such as here in Honshu,” Brilakis added. “We continue to aggressively support Operation Tomodachi in assisting our Japanese counterparts in any way that we can.”