Okinawa Airmen deploy to support relief in mainland Japan

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen from Kadena are mobilizing to support disaster relief operations following Friday's earthquake and tsunami on mainland Japan.

"We are here to stand beside our Japanese allies following this tragic event," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander. "We are working with U.S. Forces Japan headquarters at Yokota to determine what we can do to help."

Five HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, as well as crews from the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons are bound for Yokota Air Base near Tokyo to support search and rescue missions.

Also, more than 100 Airmen from Kadena are deploying to mainland Japan to help with search and rescue, provide additional medical capability, and to restore electrical power.