U.S. Marines and sailors onboard the USS Essex, wait to load food and water supplies onto a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during Operation Tomodachi here March 22. Navy and Marine Corps involvement in humanitarian and relief efforts on mainland Japan is part of a larger U.S. government response to requests for help from the Government of Japan after a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan, causing widespread damage. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU is ready to support our Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon.