JGSDF and Airmen provide aid

Members of the 15 Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force load and prepare supplies on trucks headed to mainland Japan March 16. Teams from the 15 Brigade, JGSDF are heading to northern Japan to aid earthquake and tsunami victims with trucks loaded with supplies including clothes, blankets and toiletries. Hundreds of Airmen, thousands of pounds of relief supply and many U.S. aircrafts have been sent to northern Japan from Kadena as well. (U.S. Air Force photos/Airman 1st Class Maeson Elleman)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Nations unite for humanitarian mission

Kadena Airmen and Members of the Royal Australian Air Force discuss their upcoming mission inside the RAAF C-17 Globemaster III before heading to northern Japan March 17. The C-17, along with several members of the RAAF came to Kadena to load supplies and a team from the Japan Self Defense Force and then transport them to northern Japan in support of earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sara Csurilla)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
USAF transports JGSDF members, supplies to mainland Japan

Staff Sgt. Jay Steppat, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron electro environmental craftsman, marshals in a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson C-17 Globemaster III on the Kadena Air Base flight line, March 17. The C-17 crew from JBER loaded Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel and equipment into the aircraft to take to mainland Japan for the disaster relief effort. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Nations unite for humanitarian mission

Senior Airman Andrew Ammerman, an Air Terminal Operations Center controller with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron, guides a 15 Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force truck onto a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 17. The truck was being loaded onto the aircraft, along with a team of JGSDF members and supplies to be sent to northern Japan in support of earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sara Csurilla)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
JGSDF and Airmen provide aid

Airman 1st Class Neal Phillips with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron prepares cargo full of supplies including clothes, blankets and toiletries to send with members of the 15 Brigade, Japan Ground Self Defense Force to mainland Japan March 16. Teams from the 15 Brigade, JGSDF along with thousands of pounds of supplies are heading to northern Japan to aid earthquake and tsunami victims. (U.S. Air Force photos/Airman 1st Class Maeson Elleman)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Last members of JGSDF's 15th Brigade arrive in mainland Japan via Kadena

Published March 19, 2011
By Capt. Bryan Bouchard
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The last of more than 100 Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel, as well as 60 vehicles and pieces of equipment, departed Kadena Air Base today bound for Yokota Air Base near Tokyo.

The movement of these JGSDF's 15th Brigade started Wednesday night with a C-17 from the Royal Australian Air Force based out of Brisbane, Australia. Over the following four days, U.S. Air Force and RAAF continued to ferry the Brigade's personnel and equipment to head north of Tokyo to provide disaster relief to citizens there.

Since the beginning of Operation Tomodachi, more than 250 people and 600 tons of humanitarian aid supplies and necessary equipment have passed through Kadena destined for areas North, according to 1st Lt. Wesley Ekwall from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Kadena Airmen, sailors, soldiers and Marines continue to prepare to provide additional support and capabilities if called upon.

JGSDF and Airmen provide aid

Nations unite for humanitarian mission

USAF transports JGSDF members, supplies to mainland Japan

Nations unite for humanitarian mission

JGSDF and Airmen provide aid