News>Okinawa Airmen deploy to support relief in mainland Japan
Photos
Lt. Col. James Greene, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, addresses his Airmen before they deployed to Misawa Air Base, in northern Japan March 12. More than 50 members of the 18th CES deployed to Misawa to help restore power and basic services there following a series of earthquakes and tsunami. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley)
Chief Master Sgt. Robert Rucinski (right) from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, looks on as Airmen from his unit board a bus March 12 before departing for Misawa Air Base, in northern Japan. More than 50 members of the 18th CES deployed to Misawa to help restore power and basic services there. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley)
Airman 1st Class Michael Bagley and Staff Sgt. Ryan Miller from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron go over a checklist to ensure they have all of their equipment March 12 at Kadena Air Base. More than 50 members of the 18th CES deployed to Misawa Air Base in northern Japan to help restore power and basic services there. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley)
3/12/2011 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from Kadena are mobilizing to support disaster relief operations following Friday's earthquake and tsunami on mainland Japan.
"We are here to stand beside our Japanese allies following this tragic event," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander. "We are working with U.S. Forces Japan headquarters at Yokota to determine what we can do to help."
Five HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, as well as crews from the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons are bound for Yokota Air Base near Tokyo to support search and rescue missions.
Also, more than 100 Airmen from Kadena are deploying to mainland Japan to help with search and rescue, provide additional medical capability, and to restore electrical power.
Comments
3/12/2011 8:29:15 AM ET Engineers lead the way Than to Amn Boling from TMO for working with the CER team to get us back from Haneda this am. We were mid-air when the quake hit and got diverted from Narita to Haneda. We were lucky the worst for was camping out in the terminal so much damage and loss of help. Please help our Japanese host in their time of need.
