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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, right, and Capt. J.D. Haugen, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Facility Misawa, addresses residents over Armed Forces Network Mar. 17. The State Department has authorized the voluntary departure for family members and dependents of U.S. government officials who wish to leave Northeast Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)
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Misawa Air Base Supports Voluntary Departure
Posted 3/17/2011 Updated 3/17/2011
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by Phillip O. Butterfield
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/17/2011 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander and U.S. Navy Capt. James Haugen, Naval Air Facility Misawa commanding officer, addressed the Misawa community in an American Forces Network broadcast March 17.
In the broadcast, Colonel Rothstein informed the base that the U.S. Department of State and the Defense Department has authorized voluntary departure of government and military family members from Japan. Exact details of the voluntary departure process from Misawa are being ironed out at this time.
Colonel Rothstein also reassured the base community concerning fears about the power plant near Fukushima, Japan. Wing agencies are diligently working to sample air qualities and have assured him that there has been no significant change and that there probably will not be one, he stated.
"I want to make this clear, Misawa is in no immediate danger," Colonel Rothstein said. "The reactors in Fukushima, even if the worst scenario was to happen, will not put Misawa in danger and we will continue with our humanitarian relief efforts in the area."
The colonel also stressed that our Airmen and sister-services further South near Tokyo, are at no great risk either.
However, the message of voluntary departure and servicemember safety were not the only thing on these two commanders' minds; they also spoke of the excellent job the base has been doing to assist in relief efforts.
"It's been so inspiring to see the team effort that has gone out to help rebuild the community," said Captain Haugen. "I was able to see Sailors and Airmen working side-by-side with the City of Misawa down at the fishing port. The devastation down there was incredible, but the strength of the community shows how quickly we were able to put that facility back into shape."
The broadcast ended with both commanders asking for the community's patience as they work through the logistics of the voluntary departure.
More information will follow as it becomes available.
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