SOG Airmen continue relief efforts at Sendai

  • Published
  • 353rd Special Operations Group
SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan --  Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, are continuing to provide a wide array of support to further relief efforts here.

After helping reopen the runway March 16, Airmen from the group also assisted Japanese emergency management and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officials is clearing the airfield to allow larger aircraft to utilize the runway. The first C-17 landed here March 20.

Sendai Airport has become a main hub for bringing humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that hit March 11.

SOG Airmen are heavily engaged with U.S. and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel offloading relief supplies from the aircraft that arrive here and loading vehicles to distribute the supplies to Japanese citizens in need.

Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron are still providing air traffic control support and have set up a communications room to maintain contact with other Operation Tomodachi units via conventional computer, radio and defense switched network methods.