U.S. Forces Participate In Annual Disaster Drill in Japan

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dominique Pineiro, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Public Affairs

TOKYO (NNS) -- U.S. Armed Forces in conjunction with Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF), state and local agencies and U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka assisted in delivering disaster relief supplies evacuating simulated casualties as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) disaster drill Aug. 29.

The TMG disaster drill is conducted with the goal of achieving 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 counter-parts and establish a rapport by engaging with the government," said Ted Shaw, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Emergency Management Office. "We get a chance to practice our trade and show the government we're here to support you and this is how we can support you."

"In the event of a disaster we'll already know who 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 forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) provided an emergency treatment center to treat simulated injuries.

Denver also launched a landing craft utility (LCU) boat from its well deck to offload 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 strengthen interoperability with the Japan Self Defense Forces.

"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, USNH 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."