Within hours of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami hitting the coast of northern Japan March 11, HMM-265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, received the call to assist the Japanese people with aid and relief efforts.

In the immediate aftermath of the natural disasters, U.S. Forces Japan established a 24-hour crisis action team to assess the U.S. military capabilities and assets available to support the Government of Japan and Japan Self-Defense Force’s disaster relief efforts.

The first CH-46E Sea Knights arrived on mainland Japan 24 hours after the disasters occurred. The full force of HMM-265 was established in Atsugi within 56 hours. To date, the squadron has flown 352 hours and transported 117 thousand pounds of humanitarian assistance cargo in support of Operation Tomodachi.

HMM-265 is conducting operations under the bilateral partnership, lead by the Government of Japan, to transport troops and relief supplies into areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. While transporting these supplies, the squadron flies zone reconnaissance over northern Japan, looking for areas were displaced citizens have gathered and made signs, asking for critical items.

Signs have asked for essentials such as food, fuel and water. When pilots spot a sign, the coordinates are transmitted by radio to a command center that organizes follow-on aircraft to deliver supplies.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to help the Japanese people affected by this disaster,” said Lance Cpl. Steven Reppen, a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter crew chief with HMM-265.

Reppen has been flying into the affected areas for the past two weeks, transporting food, supplies, troops and fuel to JGSDF distribution centers to be handed out to Japanese citizens.

“Seeing the disaster for the first time, it felt like a piano had dropped onto me,” said Reppen. “It is hard to see and hard to fathom what happened, but it is rewarding to see the smiling faces and waves as we drop off supplies.”

The squadron has been working shifts to be operational 24-hours a day, said Cpl. James W. Gendron, flight equipment noncommissioned officer-in-charge with HMM-265.

Gendron was able to join an air crew and fly north to assist in the transportation of supplies.

“The helo I was in delivered 2,000 pounds of food and water to a secluded mountain town north of Sendai,” said Gendron. “The entire town was completely wiped out except for the high school on a hill where there were hundreds of people gathered.”

Many sites like this one have been found and supplies are being delivered as directed by the JGSDF.

U.S. Pacific Command, along with with U.S. Forces Japan, continues to assess requirements and available assets in theater to respond as quickly as possible to meet the requests of the Government of Japan.

“I am proud to be a part of the relief efforts, and it is an honor to be asked to help our allies and friends in this time of need,” said Reppen.