Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD) Response
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Emma Chanlett-Avery
Specialist in Asian Affairs
March 22, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R41690
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Overview
With almost 40,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami is
unique in that U.S. forces and associated resources were located in close proximity to deal with
the crisis. All Services—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—are present in Japan in
various capacities. In addition, U.S. forces train regularly with their Japanese Self Defense Force
(SDF) counterparts, including many humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises.
With over 100,000 SDF troops called up to respond to the disaster, U.S. forces were able to
coordinate their efforts almost immediately to provide support for the Japanese responders.
Within 8 days of the earthquake, the SDF had deployed 106,200 personnel; 200 rotary aircraft
and 322 fixed-wings; and 60 ships. Nearly all of the Maritime SDF ships have been transferred to
the affected area, and forces from the southernmost to the farthest north territories have been
mobilized. As of March 19, the SDF had rescued 19,300 people and provided supplies on an
ongoing basis to 300,00 displaced people, in addition to supporting activities at the troubled
nuclear reactors.1
Operational Update2
On March 18, one week after the quake struck, U.S. and Japanese forces began to transition from
a search and rescue effort to a relief mission for the survivors. DOD officials report that as of the
morning of March 22, 20 U.S. naval ships, 140 aircraft, and 19,703 sailors and marines are now
involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in and around Japan, delivering 227
tons of relief supplies to date. U.S. Army and Air Force units are also delivering humanitarian
supplies and providing other services as required. All search and rescue assets from Okinawa, the
southernmost part of Japan, were first moved to Yokota Air base outside of Tokyo and then
deployed to the north. Further details are in the sections on each branch’s operations below.
On March 21, Admiral Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, visited the
Defense Ministry for consultations with SDF Chief of Staff Ryoichi Oriki and other officers,
reinforcing the commitment to coordinate relief efforts.
DOD Funding3
On March 12, Secretary of Defense Gates authorized U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) to
continue disaster relief operations and approved $35 million in Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster,
and Civic Aid (OHDACA) funding for these purposes. As the scope and duration of DOD’s
support becomes better defined, it is possible that additional funding will be required.
1 Japanese Ministry of Defense, http://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2011/03/16d.html
2 United States Pacific Command Operations Update on the Relief Effort in Japan, updated as of 4:05 a.m HST March
21, 2011 http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Home_Page/AssistedDeparture-2011/21-Relief-effort-update.shtml
and official 7th Fleet Facebook page, accessed on 3/22/11.
3 Operational Update provide to CRS by the Office of Secretary of Defense Office for Legislative Affairs, March 16,
2011.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Status of DOD Facilities and Personnel
Initial DOD efforts after the earthquake were focused on what can be described as “force
protection” such as relocating naval vessels and aircraft so that potential damage from the
impending tsunami would be mitigated, as well as protecting and accounting for U.S. military
personnel, 43,000 dependents, and 5,000 DOD civilian employees stationed in Japan. These force
protection efforts appear to have been successful as there were no reported DOD-related fatalities
and no reports of major damage to DOD facilities or equipment.4
Voluntary Departure of DOD Dependents5
After the State Department authorized the voluntary departure for family members and
dependents of U.S. government personnel who wish to leave Northeast Japan on March 17, DOD
stated that it would implement the State Department’s plan for eligible DOD dependents. It was
reported that Navy bases in the Tokyo area would begin voluntary evacuations for family
members as early as the evening of March 17. The Navy reportedly has the capability to evacuate
up to10,000 people per day. On March 17, Admiral Robert Willard, Commander of the U.S.
Pacific Command, stated that planning figures for an overall evacuation of U.S. citizens in the
greater Tokyo area was about 87,300 personnel – a figure that includes eligible DOD
dependents.6 In the event of such a large-scale evacuation, DOD would likely play a prominent
role in both planning, coordination and execution, including the use of U.S. military ground
vehicles, aircraft, and ships.
According to reports, more than 8,000 family members have signed up for flights out of Japan.
Flights have been departing from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Yokosuka Naval Base, and Misawa
Air Base. Up to date cumulative numbers of personnel who have departed as well as their
destinations have not been made public.
4 Cheryl Pellerin, “Military Gears Up to Help Japan,” American Forces Press Service, March 11, 2001.
5 Operational Update provide to CRS by the Office of Secretary of Defense Office for Legislative Affairs, March 17,
2011 and Erik Slavin, “Navy to Begin Voluntary Evacuation of Families in Japan,” Stripes.com, March 17, 2011, and
“Flight Carrying Military Families Departs Japan,” Stars and Stripes, March 22, 2011.
6 Information in this section is taken from a DOD transcript of a briefing given by U.S. Pacific Command Commander,
Admiral Robert Willard on March 17, 2011.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Figure 1. Map of Japan, Selected U.S. Military Facilities, and Areas Affected by
Earthquake
Operation Tomodachi7
DOD’s relief effort has been designated “Operation Tomodachi,” Japanese for “friend.” U.S.
airlift capability is particularly valuable in reaching survivors in the devastated areas. U.S. efforts
have focused most heavily on transport of relief supplies; SDF personnel and equipment;
surveillance of the affected area to search for stranded victims; and restoration of critical
infrastructure, such as damaged airfields, in order to sustain operations. The U.S. airbase Misawa,
located in Aomori prefecture in northeastern Japan, was shaken violently by the earthquake but
escaped with only minor damage. The facility is being used as a forward operating base for both
U.S. and SDF forces. In addition, the government of Japan granted permission for U.S. forces to
use Yamagata airport, the first time such an allowance has been approved. SDF troops are also
using the facility.8 Concerted efforts to re-open the Sendai airport suggest that it will be used a
major hub for receiving international relief supplies.
7 Information in this section is taken from Fred W. Baker III, “U.S. Forces Provide Relief Aid to Japan,” American
Forces Press Service, March 13, 2011; Chris Carroll et al, “Relief Efforts Limited Days After the Earthquake,”
American Forces Press Service, March 13, 2011; and Phil Stewart, “More U.S. Ships Head to Japan, Radiation Risk
Eyed,” Reuters.com, March 14, 2011.
8 “Japan, U.S. Engage in Record-scale Cooperation for Quake Relief,” Sankei News. March 17, 2011.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Response to Damaged Nuclear Reactors
It is not yet clear to what extent DOD will be involved in responding to the problems at the
affected nuclear reactor. On a force protection level, U.S. forces both ashore in Japan as well as at
sea and in the air are well-equipped to monitor radiation levels as well as to decontaminate
personnel and equipment that might become contaminated by radiological materials. On March
15, sensitive instrumentation on the USS George Washington in Yokosuka detected low levels of
radioactivity from the Fukushima plant.
As the crisis surrounding the stricken reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi facility intensified, it
appeared that the United States was stepping up efforts to assist the government of Japan (GoJ).
On March 16, news outlets reported that the Global Hawk drone would fly over the reactor site in
order to collect data and imagery for the GoJ.9 In addition to using Global hawk unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) to monitor radiation, DOD is also using U-2 surveillance planes from Okinawa
outfitted with “radiation suites” that can take readings at various altitudes and WC-135 Constant
Phoenix aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base from Nebraska that are also capable of taking aerial
readings.
On March 17, the U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet reported that five high-pressure water pumps from
Sasebo and 100 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) suits and masks were delivered to the
Government of Japan to be employed at the troubled Fukushima plant. The Naval Dosimeter
Center is sending 2,000 personal dosimeters (devices to monitor radiation exposure on
individuals) to Japan. The U.S. military also contributed two fire trucks to Japanese authorities
for use at the site.
Reports suggest that U.S. military forces “are seeing a disparity between Japanese radiation
readings and the readings they’ve been getting from military monitors.”10 While no specific
readings were given, military officials suggested that some of the readings were in the “dire”
range. The U.S. Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Robert Willard, stated that a nine-
member team from U.S. Northern Command11 has arrived in Japan to conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the situation throughout the disaster area, including the area around the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant.12 This team will determine whether or not a larger force will be
brought forward to assist U.S. and Japanese forces. The Commander of U.S. Pacific Command
has requested a force of 450 radiological and consequence management experts to be available to
deploy to Japan if required. Marine forces in Japan are currently providing radiological
surveillance around Atsugi, Yamagata, and Sendai.13 Plans also call for two Marine radiological
decontamination and monitoring elements to deploy to Atsugi.
9 “Northrop Drone Set to Overfly Japan Reactor, Seek Data on Damage,” Bloomberg News. March 16, 2011.
10 Information in this section is from Alan Boyle, “U.S. Military Detects More Radiation,” MSNBC, March 18, 2011.
11 U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is a combatant command that provides command and control of
Department of Defense (DOD) homeland defense efforts and coordinates defense support of civil authorities:
http://www.northcom.mil/About/index.html.
12 Information in this section is taken from a DOD transcript of a briefing given by U.S. Pacific Command Commander,
Admiral Robert Willard on March 17, 2011.
13 United States Pacific Command Operations Update on the Relief Effort in Japan, updated as of 4:05 a.m. HST March
21, 2011, http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Home_Page/AssistedDeparture-2011/21-Relief-effort-update.shtml.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Naval Activities14
The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which includes the cruiser USS Chancellorsville,
the destroyer USS Preble, and the combat support ship USS Bridge, was diverted from military
exercises around Korea and is now conducting operations off the east coast of Iwate Prefecture.
USS Cowpens and USS Shiloh are expected to joint the Strike Group shortly. The USS Ronald
Reagan, with its 3,200 sailors and 2,480 aviators and air wing personnel and 85 aircraft, in
addition to conducting flight operations, serves as a refueling platform for helicopters from the
Japanese SDF, Japanese Coast Guard, and civilian authorities involved in rescue and recovery
efforts. Three Japanese MSDF liaison officers are on board the USS Reagan; parallel to three
U.S. Navy liaison officers aboard JS Hyuga, a Japanese vessel.
The carrier USS George Washington and the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen left Yokusuka
on March 21, 2011 so that the ships could be prepared to “sustain a state of readiness in the long
term defense of Japan.”15 The ships are currently held offshore near Shikoku Island, well south of
Tokyo and the areas affected by the earthquake, and scheduled to remain in Japan’s local waters.
Guided missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald, USS John S. McCain, USS McCampbell, and the USS
Curtis Wilbur are also operating in close proximity to the USS Ronald Reagan Group and the
destroyer USS Mustin is at sea south of the disaster site. The group has flown hundreds of sorties
to deliver humanitarian supplies to the affected areas.
The USS Tortuga, an amphibious dock landing ship that had been docked at the U.S. naval base
in Sasebo, picked up over 90 SDF vehicles and nearly 300 SDF forces from Hokkaido, Japan’s
northernmost island, and delivered them to northern Honshu. The Tortuga will now serve as an
afloat forward service base for helicopter operations. Some analysts cite the use of this
amphibious ship as an exceptional example of flexibility in internationally coordinated efforts,
given that it has been responsible primarily for transporting Japanese troops and equipment and
can now provide a mobile operating base for the helicopter missions that are crucial for relief
efforts.16
The USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, and
the USS Harpers Ferry and USS Germantown amphibious dock landing ships are off the coast
near Hachinohe on Japan’s northeastern coast. Originally the ships were stationed in the Sea of
Japan due to concerns about radiation levels closer to the Fukushima reactor site on the east coast.
One primary mission is the re-opening of the severely damaged Sendai airport in order for it to
serve as an operating base for disaster response in the surrounding area.
The USS Blue Ridge, the Seventh Fleet’s command ship, loaded personnel and additional
supplies in the vicinity of Okinawa, and conducted further replenishment on March 21 near
Nagasaki in southern Japan.
14 Information reported on U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet Facebook page, March 16-18, 2011.
15 United States Pacific Command Operations Update on the Relief Effort in Japan, updated as of 4:05 a.m. HST March
21, 2011, http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Home_Page/AssistedDeparture-2011/21-Relief-effort-update.shtml.
16 “Operation Tomodachi Update,” from Information Dissemination: The Intersection of Maritime Strategy and
Strategic Communications blog post, http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/03/operation-tomodachi-
update.html. March 16, 2011.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Marine Corps Ground Activities
The III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) is opening a command element and two forward
refueling points at the Yamagata airport, located about 35 miles from Sendai. The III MEF has
linked up with the Northeast Army of the SDF. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from
the USS Essex established a Forward Control Element in Matsushima. As of March 21, the 31st
MEU was in the vicinity of Hachinohe and are scheduled to operate in the vicinity of Ofunato and
Kamaishi ports to conduct beach surveys in preparation for humanitarian aid operations.17
Four U.S. Marine Corp Humanitarian Assistance Support (HAS) teams from the III Marine
Expeditionary Force have arrived in the affected area. Landing in a heavily damaged Air SDF
airfield, the Marines worked with ASDF personnel to unload relief supplies headed for a
survivors’ refuge center near Kesennuma, a coastal city north of Sendai particularly hard hit by
the tsunami. The HAS teams distribute water and other supplies, provide basic medical care for
those in immediate need, survey damaged infrastructure in need of repair, and monitor the spread
of potential disease among the displaced population.
As previously noted, the Marines are also operating radiological surveillance in the vicinity of
Astugi, Yamagata, and Sendai and plans are underway to establish two decontamination and
monitoring elements in Astugi.
Air Activities18
In the early hours immediately following the earthquake, Yokota Air Base was used to recover
airline traffic and as an alternate airfield for planes that could not land at Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
Initial air operations from Naval Air Facility Atsugi and the USS Ronald Reagan were focused on
identifying survivors in need of assistance as well as delivering water, blankets, and food.
Additional helicopters conducted surveys of the at-sea debris fields looking for survivors and also
conducted search and rescue missions along the coastline. Two U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft also
participated in survey operations.
In the days following, air activities have focused on delivery of supplies and repositioning of
aircraft to accommodate the relief effort. U.S. Air Force and Marine helicopters and transport
aircraft have been moved from Okinawa to U.S. military bases on Honshu to assist with
operations. Carrier Airwing Five relocated scores of tactical fixed-wing aircraft from Atsugi to
Okinawa and Guam to provide for incoming aircraft to be used in relief operations and 14 rotary
aircraft were delivered to Misawa.
A team from Kadena Air Force Base assisted in clearing runways and opening towers at
Matsushima Air Base in northeast Japan, allowing the base to be used as another major hub of
relief supplies to be delivered by helicopter.
17 United States Pacific Command Operations Update on the Relief Effort in Japan, updated as of 4:05 a.m HST March
21, 2011 http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Home_Page/AssistedDeparture-2011/21-Relief-effort-update.shtml.
18 Information in this section is taken from Fred W. Baker III, “U.S. Forces Provide Relief Aid to Japan,” American
Forces Press Service, March 13, 2011; Chris Carroll et al, “Relief Efforts Limited Days After the Earthquake,”
American Forces Press Service, March 13, 2011; and Phil Stewart, “More U.S. Ships Head to Japan, Radiation Risk
Eyed,” Reuters.com, March 14, 2011.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
An RQ-4 Global Hawk, an unmanned, long-endurance aircraft that performs surveys of large
geographic areas, was deployed from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam to assist with disaster
relief. Using radar and optical surveillance, the aircraft will be able to assess damage to
infrastructure throughout the affected area.19
Ground Activities20
The U.S. Army in Japan reportedly provided a 10 person team of translators, communications
experts, and combat medics upon request of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to help with
disaster assessment efforts in the Sendai area. It was also reported that throughout Japan, similar
efforts were undertaken at the request of local Japanese authorities by DOD personnel to aid and
assist Japanese communities affected by the earthquake and tsunami. In addition, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Japan District provided an administrative system to help the U.S. Army Japan
disaster assessment team with debris-removal efforts and the Corps is also working on a plan to
clear debris from airfields that are critical to logistic and humanitarian efforts.21
On March 21, the Army launched the 59-member Logistics Task Force 35 by ground convoy
from the Sagamihara General Depot to Sendai Airport. The task force’s mission is to establish and
maintain a distribution and supply point at the airport to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and
disaster relief.22
Background: U.S. Military Presence in Japan23
Current U.S. military presence in Japan consists of approximately 38,000 military personnel,
43,000 dependents, 5,000 DOD civilian employees, and 25,000 Japanese workers. U.S. forces are
stationed in Japan pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security of 1960.
U.S. military strength in Japan is about 38,000 ashore and 11,000 afloat, and U.S. forces are
dispersed among 85 facilities located on Honshu, Kyushu, and Okinawa.24 Total acreage of U.S.
bases is approximately 77,000 acres. United States Forces Japan (USFJ) bases and facilities range
in size from a several thousand acre training area to a single antenna site.
On mainland Japan, there are seven different bases/posts. Yokota and Misawa, representing the
Air Force; Camp Zama, representing the Army; Iwakuni; the Marine Corps; and Yokosuka,
Atsugi, and Sasebo, the Navy.
19 “Air Force Officials Use Global Hawk to Support Japan Relief Efforts,” Air Force News Today. March 16, 2011.
20 Chris Carroll et al, “Relief Efforts Limited Days After the Earthquake,” American Forces Press Service, March 13,
2011 and Devon James, “Misawa Sailors Assist Clean Up at Local Fishing Port,” United States Pacific Command,
March 14, 2011.
21 Cheryl Pellerin, “Ships, Aircraft Support Japan Relief Effort,” American Forces Press Service, March 16, 2011.
22 United States Pacific Command Operations Update on the Relief Effort in Japan, updated as of 4:05 a.m. HST March
21, 2011, http://www.pacom.mil/web/Site_Pages/Home_Page/AssistedDeparture-2011/21-Relief-effort-update.shtml.
23 Information in this section is taken directly from the U.S. Forces Japan website, http://www.usfj.mil/, accessed on
March 16, 2011.
24 See Figure 2.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
Figure 2. U.S. Bases in Japan
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
U.S. Army, Japan (USARJ)25
U.S. Army, Japan (USARJ) consists of about 2,000 soldiers and is charged, during peacetime,
with operating port facilities and a series of logistics installations throughout Honshu and
Okinawa. USARJ participates actively with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force in bilateral
training exercises and the development of bilateral plans. It commands and supports U.S. Army
assigned units, attached units, and augmentation forces and employs these forces in support of the
Commander. USARJ maintains defense facilities, war reserves and operational project stocks.
USARJ/9th Theater Support Command (TSC) is headquartered at Camp Zama.
U.S. Marine Corps
The III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), which is under the operational command of Marine
Forces Pacific, consists of approximately 16,000 Marines, which are garrisoned primarily on
Okinawa and southern Honshu. III MEF is headquartered at Camp Courtney, Okinawa.
U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Japan26
U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Japan, consists of approximately 9,000 military and civilian personnel
and includes two air stations and nine camps/housing areas throughout Okinawa and mainland
Japan. Its primary mission is to provide installation support and services, including force
protection and quality of life, to forward-deployed Marine and Naval forces, other service
members, civilians, retirees, family members, and others associated with U.S. Marine Corps
Bases, Japan. HQs, U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Japan, is located at Camp Foster, Okinawa.
U.S. Navy27
Commander, Naval Forces, Japan, consisting of about 6,000 personnel, is responsible for
maintaining and operating the port facilities and providing base and logistic support for those
surface, subsurface, aviation, and amphibious elements of the U.S. Seventh Fleet that operate
from Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF). U.S. Commander Navy
Forces, Japan, participates with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in exercises and planning.
CNFJ is headquartered at Yokosuka.
U.S. Seventh Fleet
U.S. Seventh Fleet, which is under the operation control of Commander, Pacific Fleet, has about
13,000 sailors, 18 ships, and 100 airplanes operating from Japan as part of the Forward Deployed
Naval Forces.
25 Information in this section is taken directly from the U.S. Forces Japan website, http://www.usfj.mil/, accessed on
March 16, 2011.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.
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Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response
U.S. Air Force Japan (USAFJ)28
The U.S. Air Forces, Japan/Fifth Air Force mission is to maintain the deterrent force posture of
the United States and to conduct offensive and defensive air operations, should deterrence fail.
Supporting that mission are approximately 13,000 military and civilian personnel located at units
throughout Japan. In addition to the tactical air roles, USAFJ provides theater airlift and
operational support with cargo airlift. USAFJ participates with the Japan Air Self Defense Force
in bilateral training exercises and the development of bilateral plans. Fifth Air Force is
headquartered at Yokota Air Base and is commanded by Commander, U.S. Forces Japan in a
dual-hatted capacity.
Author Contact Information
Andrew Feickert
Emma Chanlett-Avery
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Specialist in Asian Affairs
afeickert@crs.loc.gov, 7-7673
echanlettavery@crs.loc.gov, 7-7748
28 Ibid.
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