Japan -- Thousands of U.S. service members plus 14 U.S. Navy ships and more than 100 aircraft are either assisting or preparing to assist the Japanese people in the aftermath of their massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant emergencies.
Marine Forces Pacific and the III Marine Expeditionary Force are the lead Marine Corps contingent for Operation Tomodachi (Japanese for “friendship”). Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) program offices are supporting or preparing to support the early efforts, specifically in the areas of water purification; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Personal Protection Equipment; and support to the Chemical-Biological Incident Response Force.
Because other MCSC systems and equipment very likely will be required to support the disaster area as Operation Tomodachi develops, according to Scott Allen, MCSC’s Chief of Staff for Operations, coordination will continue through the Command Response Cell to ensure a well-coordinated approach across the Marine Corps Logistics Command-MCSC team.