Contact UsSEARCH

Site Map

BREEZE 80: LECTURE 19 - EVENT REPORTJUNE, 2014: BREEZE ISSUE #80
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEEVENT REPORT: OPERATION TOMODACHI AND
AFTERWARDS
A U.S. MARINE CORPS PERSPECTIVE
Event Report
By Alex Forbess
After a 9.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the Tohoku
region on March 11, 2011, massive waves destroyed towns
up and down the coastline of Miyagi and Iwate prefectures
causing catastrophic damage to the area. At the time, Dr.
Robert D. Eldridge, Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy
Officer, Marine Corps Installation Pacific, was with the 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in Okinawa, approximately
over 1,500 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter. “Evenbeing in Okinawa, we knew how bad it was going to be,”Eldridge said. The 31st MEU immediately prepared to assist
the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) and once
Operation Tomadachi was approved by the US government in Washington DC.
Eldridge gave a presentation at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles on Thursday, May 15th to discuss thejoint task force developed by the 31st MEU and JGSDF. After receiving the orders, the US marines in
Okinawa immediately rushed to the affected area to assist with the recovery. The JSDF and its officials
were amazed of not only the quick responses, but how the 31st MEU used damaged facilities as commandcenters, such as the Sendai Airport. “At first, they written (that idea) off, but with the Marines, anything isgood to use in a disaster,” Eldridge said. Throughout the operation, the 31st MEU developed a clear planwith the JGSDF that the US would be present to provide humanitarian aid and not break sovereignty withJapan. Eldridge reflected how both nations worked well and made the joint force more of a “co-operation,”as he puts it.
On March 12, the Marines started deploying helicopters with troops and aid to areas such as Takata andKesennuma. Lieutenant General Kimizuka, Commanding General of the Northeastern Army, and Lieutenant
Glueck, Commanding General III MEF, met at Sendai on Mach 15 to coordinate aid delivery to civilians.
With such a major section of the country affected, the local governments had to play a larger role inmaking this operation a success. “The central government will be busy so local governments and citizens
Privacy - Terms

would have to stand up,” Eldridge said. Many volunteers offered help, from children donating food to local
officials providing housing for victims. While other US navy and marine groups helped clean up, the 31st
MEU was assigned to help Oshima, a remote island off the coast of Kesennuma was isolated due to theaftershocks that followed 3.11. With only 3,000 citizens inhabiting the island, 31 people died. It was amiracle that Oshima was not wiped out. Citizens there were used to frequent earthquakes, large or small.
As precaution, they developed quick emergency plans to move to higher ground and avoid the damage.
With things moving smoothly within the first week of April, the marines started pulling back as the JGSDF
was able to handle more of the relief. Despite the horrendous events, bilateral relations increased
between the US and Japan. Military and government officials, along with some private supporters, met at
Shizuoka to discuss what they learned. Besides fully understanding the capability of the marines to workin land, air, and sea—which was proven as effective in the relief—they also decided to use the Oshima
incident as a lesson for all regions of Japan. It was the perfect example of the local government’s ability tomake quick decisions work cohesively. Eldridge states Operation Tomodachi as a success with the US
Marine Corp and JGSF working together. It took the JGSF to realize that people are willing to help andwhen faced with a common disaster, we will assist each other because “Japan is our second home,” asEldridge eloquently puts it.
Breeze #86

Breeze #85

Breeze #84

Breeze #83

Breeze #82

Breeze #81

Breeze #80

Japanese Langauge Education Update 7Breeze 80: Lecture 19 - Event Report

Breeze #79

Breeze #78

Breeze #77

Privacy - Terms

Breeze #76Breeze #75

Headquarters

New York Office

Center for Global PartnershipJapan Related Links

Volunteer

ボランティア募集

Job Openings (Updated)

5700 Wilshire blvd, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90036
P. 323.761.7510

Annual Report© 2019 The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
Web Design.

Privacy - Terms