Japan's Road to Recovery: III MEF CG visits island of Oshima

URANOHAMA PORT, OSHIMA, Miyagi, Japan-Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general and Task Force 505 commander, listens to a local woman explaining the destruction to her home here April 3. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III MEF, is aiding local government authorities and personnel in the clean up after an earthquake and tsunami struck the island March 11. (Photo by Cpl. Megan Angel)

4/3/2011  By Cpl. Megan Angel, Marine Corps Bases Japan 

 

OSHIMA ISLAND, Japan   — Three weeks after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Tohoku and set off a devastating tsunami March 11, affected Japanese citizens are still rummaging through the remains of their homes, neighborhoods and towns.



One hundred miles north of the city of Sendai, the tiny island of Oshima can be found. Approximately 45 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, Oshima was one of the hardest hit locations.

Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, have been aiding local government authorities and personnel in the clearing and clean-up operation -- Operation Field Day.

Sunday, Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general and Joint Task Force 505 commander, visited the island for a glimpse of the tsunami’s aftermath and to meet the Marines and sailors who arrived on Oshima for the operation.

Glueck toured three sites where the servicemembers have been working, accompanied by Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Eiji Kimizuka, commanding general of Joint Task Force Tohoku. Kimizuka is in charge of the ground recovery efforts for Japan’s JTF Tohoku.

“This has been a horrible event and I’m sorry,” Glueck said. “But we are here to assist you in anyway we can.”

Glueck and Kimizuka shared their observations of the damage and talked about the moral of the locals affected. In some areas of Oshima, the tsunami covered the width of the island, pulling everything in its path back out to sea as it receded.

“The destruction is very bad; most people ran away and are not coming back,” said Kimizuka. “We are very grateful for the Marines’ assistance.”

The residents of Oshima rely on two passenger ferries and two car ferries located in Uranohama Port. All four of them and the 325 ton-concrete pier they were moored to, was relocated by the tsunami 400 feet inland, resting on their keels with no apparent damage, according to Command Master Chief Kevin Staub, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, Expeditionary Strike Group Seven.

Oshima has a population of approximately 3,000 people, with 600 living in shelters with electricity provided by generators. The island remains without power or water supply. Food, water and fuel continues to be brought in by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SH-60K Sea Hawk helicopters and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, CH-46E Sea Knights.

Glueck toured the area stopping some of the Marines to thank them. He spoke with them all together before leaving Oshima.

“I want to thank each and everyone of you for your continued hard work,” Glueck said. “We are counting on the USS Essex and other amphibious ships to lift and move some of debris. I am proud of what you are doing here. They are resilent and proud people; they will come back because of your effort.”

URANOHAMA PORT, OSHIMA, Miyagi, Japan -U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general and Task Force 505, is briefed by Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Eiji Kimizuka, commanding general of Joint Task Force Tohoku here April 3. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III MEF, is aiding local government authorities and personnel in the clean up after an earthquake and tsunami struck the island March 11. (Photo by Cpl. Megan Angel)