The visit allowed Japan and U.S. leadership the opportunity to review community recovery progress since the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Honshu, Japan, March 11, 2011.

“I intend to continue to strengthen an already strong relationship with the people and Government of Japan,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III MEF. “I am truly impressed with how the restoration efforts have been going. I am so happy to see people smiling again.”

The first stop on the trip was to Sendai International Airport where Glueck and Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general of MCIPAC, met with airport officials to discuss the status of restoration at the airport.

Immediately following the disaster, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused billions of dollars in damage, Okinawa-based Marines deployed to mainland Japan to offer assistance to the Government of Japan. The airport was severely damaged, causing a choke-point for relief supplies to northern parts of the island.

Operation Tomodachi was the name given to the recovery efforts.

Spearheading the recovery efforts at the airport was Col. James L. Rubino, who served as the commander for the logistics element during Operation Tomodachi.

“It is humbling to see what this airport looks like now,” said Rubino, whose unit was responsible for helping to clean up all debris in and around the airport and clearing the runway, allowing follow-on relief supplies to be delivered to affected areas in the northern part of the island.

While touring the airport, several travelers expressed their thanks by waving or shaking the hands of the members of the group. One woman expressed her gratitude and told how the Marines helped her brother, who was stranded in his vehicle after the tsunami.

After touring the airport, the group boarded buses for Kesennuma City where they ferried to Oshima Island.

Following the tsunami last year, Oshima Island, with a population of more than 3,000, was isolated due to damage hindering ferry operations, according to Dr. Robert D. Eldridge, deputy assistant chief of staff, G-7 community policy, planning and liaison office, MCIPAC.

“U.S. Marines came to our rescue soon after the damage had been done,” said Katsuhiro Kawasaki, a resident of Oshima Island. “They helped us clean up and restore the roads.”

Kawasaki and his coworkers have been building the island’s infrastructure for the past eight months. Kawasaki said he is glad to see the relationships built during Operation Tomodachi are still flourishing.

“Coming so far to come see how we are doing proves we are true friends,” he said.

Colonel Arase Koki, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, agreed with Kawasaki and said this visit truly highlights the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.

“To have the number one and number two (Marine) leaders from Okinawa put this much effort into coming here to visit is great,” he said. “It shows their commitment toward the rebuilding of our communities and country.”

Another aspect of the visit was an evaluation of the success of the Homestay Program. The Homestay Program, which took place in the summer of last year, brought 25 children from Oshima Island to Okinawa to participate in a cultural exchange and to provide emotional relief to those affected by the disaster.

“It’s amazing to see the resiliency of this country,” said Talleri.

“They say to see the soul of a community look into the eyes of its children. Allowing us, complete strangers, to open our hearts and homes to our young friends during a time of need was truly amazing,” he added.

Raymond W. Richards and his wife, Motoko, were one of the families on Okinawa who opened their homes to these children and said it was truly a pleasure to have been a part of something so special.

Richards has maintained contact with the two girls he and his wife befriended last summer and plans to continue that forever.

“When my wife and I made the decision to open our homes to these two young ladies, we knew it was a commitment we were making for the rest of our lives.”

Another objective of the visit was to visit the Oshima District Disaster Response Center. There, the group discussed ways to alert residents should a disaster occur again.

Topics discussed included early warning systems and how to assist children and the elderly.

“Many people lost their lives because they did not know the tsunami was coming,” said Hironobu Sugawara, an adviser to the center and Kesennuma City assembly member. “One half of the island saw the 24-meter (78-foot) wave and the other did not.

“We come together today to learn from each other what can be done to be better prepared and to build on an already strong relationship,” he added.

“Geographically, Oshima Island is the closest of our islands to America,” said Shigeru Sugawara, the mayor of Kesennuma City. “Since Operation Tomodachi, we are even closer!”