SENDAI, Japan -- Japanese and U.S. military personnel have assembled a team to help coordinate relief and recovery efforts and better facilitate distribution of supplies to those affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The Information Cell, activated March 15, is a Japanese initiative led by three senior Japanese officers who have worked with the U.S. Marine Corps during past exercises and staff talks.
Besides providing insight and guidance for situational needs, Information Cell members also brainstorm ideas for other missions that include engineering, distributing and delivering.
“The purpose is to create a common picture,” said Col. Christopher Coke, chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It facilitates all requests and coordinates them to the two joint task forces, at which point tasks can be created and executed.”
The cell briefs every morning and evening with each country’s representatives, including the Japanese North East Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Army Japan, and Japan Engineering Department.
“It’s going to be very efficient to identify risks and coordinate tasking,” said Dr. Robert Eldridge, political advisor to 3rd MEB. “They came up with a good system of distributing and needs and the U.S. plays a role in providing the lift to get supplies to the places.”
Missions that the Japanese North East Army coordinated through U.S. Army Japan include delivery missions to Matsushima Air Base, Sendai Airport and Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
Additionally, the Information Cell receives data from humanitarian assistance survey teams, which are currently assessing various points of interest as potential aid sites for citizens affected near the coastal areas of Japan. This data is then used to coordinate efforts with the Japanese North East Army.
Coordination between the two countries continues as Operation Tomodachi provides assistance to the surrounding Japanese community.