Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan – U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Garrett Williams, a motor transport operator assigned to the Combat Logistics Regiment-3 at Marine Corps Base Okinawa, Japan, tosses a pot while clearing debris across a tsunami-struck area here March 29. Corporal Williams was among nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians who left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)

Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan – The coastal village here was heavily damaged as part of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck Northern Japan. Nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)

Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan –Maj. Holly Fitzpatrick, 673rd Medical Group clinic social work assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, looks for salvageable items through a tsunami-struck area here March 29. Nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)

Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan – The gate of a former elementary school still stands as U.S. service members and civilians clean through debris across the tsunami-struck area here March 29. Nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)

Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan – Airmen rotate a water treatment system across a tsunami-struck area here March 29. The Airmen were among nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians who left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)

Photo essay: Military volunteers assist tsunami-struck village

NODA MURA, Iwate, Japan – U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Garrett Williams, a motor transport operator assigned to the Combat Logistics Regiment-3 at Marine Corps Base Okinawa, Japan, lifts up a piece of lumber and decorative fan while clearing debris across a tsunami-struck area here March 29. Corporal Williams was among nearly 40 U.S. service members and civilians who left Misawa Air Base, Japan, to assist in tsunami cleanup and relief efforts in the village as part of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe McFadden/Released)