An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
WELCOME
SHIPS
Support Command
Ships
LEADERS
MEDIA
News
GRGB
Photos
DVIDSHUB Photos
Flickr Photos
SNA
SNA 2025
Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
X
Speeches
Surface Warfare Magazine
Media
Search
Home
Media
News
Home
Media
News
HOME
WELCOME
SHIPS
Support Command
LEADERS
MEDIA
News
GRGB
Photos
DVIDSHUB Photos
Flickr Photos
SNA
SNA 2025
Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
X
Speeches
Surface Warfare Magazine
Operation Tomodachi- Helping Friends in Need
by AC3 Jennifer McIntosh
11 April 2011
N/A
N/A
N/A
SHARE IMAGE:
Download Image
Image Details
Photo By: N/A
VIRIN: 210115-N-N0831-0003
Known for its breathtaking sunsets, Malaysia is a spectacular country with many shops, beaches, and even a Starbucks coffee shop. It was the first time that the USS Essex was pulling into the port of Seppangar in Kota Kinabalu and everyone onboard was excited.
Liberty was called away and swarms of Sailors and Marines exited the ship, eager to see what this new port was all about. Unfortunately, 4 hours later, the fun had come to an end.
Northern Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami that caused massive damage to Japanese coastal towns. Everyone was immediately recalled to the ship, and with help from their shipmates and shore patrol, all hands made it back to USS ESSEX within a couple of hours. The next morning, we were underway heading towards the island of Honshu in Northern Japan, cruising at about 20 knots for a 6 day transit to participate in Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) Operations.
As we watched the news, we began to see just how horrible things were in Honshu. Nuclear plants had been severely damaged, were unable to cool down properly and were leaking radiation. The numbers of the missing and dead were increasing and bodies unable to be found.
For the next 3 weeks, DET 4 participated in “Operation Tomodachi”. The name Tomodachi is a Japanese word meaning “friend.” Through helicopter and LCU (Landing Craft Unit) operations, the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the USS RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group (CSG) transported food, water, medicine and other pertinent supplies to those affected by the natural disaster while simultaneously conducting Search and Rescue Operations. Whether it was pushing aircraft to the shore, to “Eagle Control” for tasking, or coordinating HA/DR missions, TACC was busy and working hard facilitate safe and mishap free operations.
Two DET 4 Sailors represented Tacron-12 and went ashore to assist with the efforts on another level. LCDR Doug Lito spent a few days as LNO to the First Marine Air Wing Forward and Carrier Air Wing FIVE at the Atsugi Naval Air Facility. He then moved to Yokota Air Base to act as LNO to CTF-519 and Operation Tomodachi Maritime Response Cell Watch Officer, coordinating the flow of tasking between US Forces, Japan , COMPHIBRON ELEVEN and the 31st MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit). AC3 Daigle volunteered to go ashore and participated in a COMREL on the devastated island of Oshima, assisting with the clean up of a beachfront and clearing of roads.
During this extremely busy time, DET 4 personnel managed to continue training on positions, and were able to qualify 5 TAD/TATC Controllers and 3 TACC Supervisors in addition to earning 2 EAWS pins. Although focused on the mission of humanitarian aid, we didn’t lose focus on our other goals of moving forward in our qualifications and maximizing the manning flexibility within TACC.
After almost a month off the coast of Honshu, things slowed down. The Japanese Government stated they no longer required our assistance, and thanked us for all our help. Japanese Admirals and Generals and other high ranking officials came on board USS ESSEX and shook the hands of those they passed. Several media groups visited the ship to capture a first hand look at the impressive efforts of the Sailors and Marines. Following a closing ceremony ashore, a final handshake between RDML Katsui, JMSDF and RDML Jones, ESG-7, and a formal PASSEX between the ESSEX and the Japanese amphib, HYUGA, all HADR missions were stopped and our time here was done. The USS ESSEX is now on her way home, looking forward to a much needed break, but still standing by for any further tasking that may come our way. We look forward to Okinawa, Kadena AFB, and the Habu Hilton once again.
Tags:
TACRON 12 LATEST NEWS
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Email:
Public Affairs Officer
|
Webmaster
This is an official
U.S. Navy website
U.S. Pacific Fleet
2841 Rendova Rd
San Diego, CA
92155-5490
Email:
Public Affairs Officer
Webmaster
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon