Okinawa becomes temporary voluntary destination for mothers-to-be

  • Published
  • By Lance Cpl. Jovane M. Holland and Lance Cpl. Heather Choate
  • Okinawa Marine staff
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A military flight carrying eight pregnant women, along with their family members and medical personnel, arrived here from mainland Japan March 22 as part of the authorized voluntary departure program headed by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.
Due to their pregnancies, the women were considered medical cases and given first priority concerning mainland departures.

The voluntary departure program was announced March 17, giving Department of Defense eligible family members approval to relocate from mainland Japan in the wake of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck mainland Japan March 11.

In accordance with departure procedures set forth by U.S. Forces Japan, the women were approved for flight by both their medical provider and a doctor with Theater Patient Movement Requirement Center before departing, according to Air Force Col. Stephen Donaldson, commander of 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.

The 18th AES ensured medical care was on-hand aboard the Kadena 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 flight to Kadena.

After landing, the women and their families were taken to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, where medical personnel ensured their physical wellness before travelling to the WestPac Lodge on Camp Foster for the duration of their stay.

Due to medical personnel's recommendation that women past 34 weeks pregnant not endure lengthy flights, several of the women will stay on Okinawa to give birth instead of continuing on to the U.S.

For the remainder of the women and their families, Foster will serve as an interim staging base, where they will reside temporarily until stateside flights to their respective locations are secured.

Michelle Byam, an expectant mother who is 38 weeks pregnant, said she was glad to finally be able to rest comfortably and settle down for her upcoming birth.

Byam, who chose to come to Okinawa for the birth of her second child due to the earthquake and tsunami, said she eventually plans to return with her family to mainland Japan.

Despite an initial delay in the flight's departure from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, the women and their families were in good spirits and said they appreciate the service and concern of all involved.

"Since we arrived, everyone's hospitality has been outstanding," said Chief Petty Officer Nate Henson, a cryptologic technician with the Center for Information Dominance and an expecting father. "We really appreciate everything they have done."

For more information on authorized voluntary departure, visit the U.S. Forces Japan website at http://www.usfj.mil/.