Content Manager posted on December 01, 2010 00:02
December 2010 Navy
By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Dominique Pineiro, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Public Affairs
U.S. Forces, in conjunction with Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF), state agencies, local agencies and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka assisted in delivering disaster relief supplies and the evacuation of simulated casualties as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) disaster drill 29 August. The TMG disaster drill is conducted to achieve a high level of proficiency in responding to disasters as part of a multinational force.
“These engagements are an excellent opportunity to work with our counterparts and establish a rapport by engaging with the government,” said Ted Shaw, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Emergency Management Officer. “We get a chance to practice our trade and show the government, we’re here to support you, and this how we can support you; and in the event of a disaster, we’ll already know whom to call and we’d be able to move out on their requirements quickly.”
As part of the scenario, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Tokyo; in response, the forwarddeployed amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) provided an emergency treatment center to treat simulated injuries.
Denver also launched a landing craft utility (LCU) from its well deck to off-load disaster relief material.
“LCU’s are extremely important to this type of drill, because we do disaster relief all the time,” said Chief Boatswain Mate Thomas Merryman, Officer-in-Charge of LCU 1634 embarked aboard Denver. “LCU’s are capable of a wide range of disaster support. With a lift capability of 150 tons of supplies, people or equipment— to the ship or to shore—we get the job done.”
In addition to Denver’s participation, a U.S. Navy SH-60B Sea Hawk from Helicopter Squadron (HSL) 51, an Army MH-60L Black Hawk assigned to the 78th Aviation Battalion, and an Air Force UH-1 Iroquois attached to the 459th Airlift Squadron delivered disaster relief supplies to various areas around Tokyo.
“The helicopters were able to provide immediate life-saving disaster relief assistance cargo,” said Shaw. “It’s one of the fastest means of getting support in any kind of situation or any kind of weather. It’s the best way to help people immediately affected by the disaster.”
USNH Yokosuka’s role in the exercise was to accept medically evacuated patients from other areas of Japan and increase the interoperability with the Japan Self Defense Force.
“Today’s drill was a great opportunity for Naval Hospital Yokosuka to test our disaster response abilities in coordination with our Japanese counterparts,” said ENS Wayne Simonds, U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka Emergency Management Officer. “It has been a pleasure working with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on this drill. We are proud that, if called upon, we can support the local Japanese communities’ emergency medical needs.”