31ST MEU aids cut-off Oshima Island

OSHIMA, Japan - Approximately 170 Marines and Sailors from Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit left the USS Essex (LHD 2) beginning Operation Field Day in support of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, April 1.

The operation involves clearing and cleaning-up debris on the remote island of Oshima, which has been isolated since March 11 when the tsunami hit.

Along with the Marines and Sailors, four humvees, a dump truck, water truck and fuel truck were brought to the island via U.S. Navy landing craft to assist in debris removal.

The island, which is dependent upon ferry service from the mainland, was cut-off from the mainland when the tsunami washed its ferries ashore

31st MEU personnel are scheduled to assist in cleaning the harbor area to facilitate transportation of disaster aid and relief supplies to the island. Marines and Sailors are also scheduled to remove debris from local schools and government buildings, under the direction of the JGSDF and local officials.

"The Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU are committed to helping out the people of Japan in any way possible," said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. "We have the capability and equipment to move ashore and assist the people of Oshima, and we are proud to help the Japan Self Defense Forces begin the large task of getting the island back to normal."

For most Marines and Sailors with BLT 2/5, this is their first opportunity to help in the relief and recovery efforts.

"As the guys on the ground, we have a lot of manpower to assist our Japanese friends and neighbors," said Lt. Col. Pete Farnum, commanding officer of BLT

2/5. "This gives us the opportunity to join in the ongoing humanitarian operations, and to help those in need."

The 31st MEU's involvement comes in support of the ongoing Japanese response after the horrific earthquake and resulting tsunami struck northern Japan causing widespread damage. The 31st MEU is ready to support its Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon.




The island, which is dependent upon ferry service from the mainland, was cut-off from the mainland when the tsunami washed its ferries ashore.

31st MEU Update - Marine Assistance in Japan

31ST MEU CONTINUES RELIEF EFFORTS

USS ESSEX, Off the coast of Japan - The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit continues relief efforts off the northeast coast of Honshu in support of Operation Tomodachi.

The MEU arrived off the coast March 19, after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the region on March 11. As of March 25, the unit has delivered more than 50,000 pounds of supplies via helicopter to affected areas including; Myako, Hamanaki, Yamada and Oshima Island.

"The Marines and Sailors that are part of the 31st MEU are motivated and dedicated to helping the Japanese. We have spent quite a bit of time training for humanitarian aid situations, and we even practiced that type of mission during our last few exercises," said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. "Now the time has come to do this in a real world scenario, and the Marines and sailors will exercise the skills they learned to bring help to those in need."

CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, have delivered tons of supplies, including more than 1,500 pounds of blankets, 23,000 pounds of potable water and approximately 15,000 pounds of health and comfort packages.

Heavy and medium lift helicopters of the 31st MEU, operating from the Essex, are transferring badly-needed materials from primary distribution points at undamaged facilities to secondary, smaller hubs in the disaster area in order to get relief aid closer to those in need.

Once the supplies are delivered by Marine helicopters, Japanese Self-Defense Force members and local citizens join the Marines and sailors to help unload and then distribute the relief supplies to locals in need.

"The 31st MEU brings a tremendous amount of capabilities to this situation. Our MEU is configured ideally to support humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. Transportation is one of the biggest capabilities we have," said MacMannis.

A medical team from USS Essex flew to the JS Hyuga March 25 to meet up with Japanese medical personnel, and then moved ashore to determine potential medical needs and areas where the 31st MEU medical staff could provide assistance.

The MEU also has a Forward Command Element in Sendai, Japan, responsible for coordinating potential relief efforts with the Japanese government.

The 31st MEU continues to work closely with the JSDF to accomplish the mission at the request of the Japanese government. Because of the longstanding and close working relationship between the two nations, the 31st MEU is able to coordinate with the JSDF to rapidly respond with critically needed capabilities and supplies in support of the ongoing relief mission. They prepared to deliver robust air, ground, and maritime security, medical and and dental health services; plus engineering assets as directed.

The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 31st MEU includes more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is comprised of four elements: the Command Element; Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and CLB-31.

The 31st MEU provides a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based force capable of supporting the ongoing Japanese humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as directed.

31st MEU off Japan!

31st MEU and Operation Tomodachi
By Andrew Lubin

The Marines of 31st MEU, Col Andrew MacMannis commanding, will be arriving off the west coast of Japan tomorrow morning.

Lead by the USS Essex (LHD 2), the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) are currently in the Sea of Japanto arrive off the coast of Akita prefecture (west coast of Honshu) tomorrow morning to await further tasking. 12 Marines of the 31st MEU have established a Forward Command Element (FCE) in Yamagata. If the MEU is ordered to land, the west coast of Honshu affords greater access to undamaged ports and roads, fewer navigational hazards, and prevailing winds that are upwind of the Fukushima power plant.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our close friends and allies in Japan during this difficult time,” said Col. Andrew MacMannis, the 31st MEU's commanding officer, “We are repositioning to be ready to support to our Japanese partners. Our support will compliment the services that the Government of Japan is already providing. We stand ready to help our partners in need as they work tirelessly to respond to this evolving crisis.”

With the Japanese Security Defense Forces (JDSF) leading Operation Tomodachi, U.S. Department of Defense assets such as 31st MEU are to provide Humanitarian Assistance – Disaster Relief (HA-DR) such as search-and-rescue provisions, medical services, food, shelter, command and control, water, and engineering. Drawing on prior Marine HA-DR efforts in Haiti, Bangladesh, and other stricken parts of the world, the 31st MEU is uniquely able to provide assistance to the Japanese populace.