Navy Ships Move to Assist Stricken Japan

The United States is acting swiftly in response to the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier today. The Pentagon has announced a number of ship movements to enable disaster assistance missions if requested by the Japanese government. In addition, U.S. Navy ships home ported in Japan are mobilizing to assist. The Pentagon reports that there are no known casualties to American military personnel.

Yokota Air Base has received 11 commercial airliners that were diverted from Narita International Airport in Tokyo. About 500 passengers and crew are being temporarily housed in the base recreation center until they can be moved to civilian locations.

The U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka was partially evacuated for a time. Routine services have been suspended.

No damage to U.S. bases or ships is reported across the Pacific. In Guam, USS Houston (SSN 713) and USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) snapped their mooring lines during the tsunami but port tugs and on board crews were able to re-dock the submarines. Two other subs also docked at the base were not affected.

Eleven U.S. Navy vessels are home ported in Yokosuka. The USS George Washington and the USS Lassen were tied up to the pier when the earthquake struck. There were no injuries or damage. Stars and Stripes reports that sailors aboard the GW felt the earthquake and saw the water level in the harbor drop some six feet.

The Pentagon has alerted many ships in the Seventh Fleet for deployment to the disaster area in northern Japan:

* USS Tortuga, in Sasebo, Japan

* USS Essex, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

* USS Blue Ridge, in Singapore

* USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group

* USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group

The Reagan strike group was at sea when the tsunami passed. There were no injuries or damages.

At least 11 Navy ships are now moving to be in a position to assist the Japanese. All of the ships being dispatched have helicopter and/or amphibious operation capabilities. Blue Ridge is loading a pre-packaged load of humanitarian supplies before departing Singapore.

This disaster comes as search and rescue crews from many nations including Japan are just returning to their homes from the Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake operation. Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team Two has received an alert for movement from FEMA for potential deployment to Japan. Some members of that team have been home less than a day.