An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 22, 2011

National Guard increases Japan relief operations

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard is increasing its personnel and equipment in support of Operation Tomodachi, the joint relief response after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japan, March 11, Guard officials said here today.

In addition to Guam and Kentucky National Guardmembers, who were deployed days after the quake, the Mississippi and Alabama National Guards have activated personnel to assist in the joint relief response.

The Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift Wing deployed a C-17 Globemaster III, March 20. The C-17 will be assisting with cargo and personnel movement and have no estimated time of completion to their new mission task.

The Alabama Army National Guard is deploying Guardmembers and resources from the 167th Theater Sustainment Command to Denver International Airport today.

Guardmembers will be assisting with the re-deployment of servicemembers stationed in Japan returning to the continental United States.

These efforts are just the latest addition to the National Guard’s support.

From Kentucky, Army Guardmembers are continuing operational support to the relief efforts in Japan.

With concerns of possible radiological contamination, the Guam National Guard had members of the 94th Civil Support Team deployed to the Guam Main Facility Post Office and Guam International Airport to screen parcels and cargo arriving from Japan.

Readings at the post office were deemed negative and safe, thus completing that National Guard mission.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...