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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response


Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces

Emma Chanlett-Avery
Specialist in Asian Affairs


With almost 40,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami is unique in that U.S. forces and associated resources were located in close proximity to deal with the crisis. All Services—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—are present in Japan in various capacities. In addition, U.S. forces train regularly with their Japanese Self Defense Force (SDF) counterparts, including many humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises.

With over 100,000 SDF troops called up to respond to the disaster, U.S. forces were able to coordinate their efforts almost immediately to provide support for the Japanese responders. Within 8 days of the earthquake, the SDF had deployed 106,200 personnel, 200 rotary aircraft and 322 fixed-wings, and 60 ships. Nearly all of the Maritime SDF ships have been transferred to the affected area, and forces from the southernmost to the farthest north territories have been mobilized. As of March 19, the SDF had rescued 19,300 people and provided supplies on an ongoing basis to 300,000 displaced people, in addition to supporting activities at the troubled nuclear reactors.



Date of Report: March 22, 2011
Number of Pages: 11
Order Number: R41690
Price: $29.95

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