Great East Japan Earthquake
Operation Friends
Japanese Self-Defense Force members and a Marine with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry a The 31st MEU delivered 800 gallons of water and 768 blankets as part of a humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation. Navy and Marine Corps involvement is part of a larger U.S. government response, coordinated through the U.S. Department of State, after a 9.11 disaster relief operation. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU is ready to support our Japanese partners and the U.S. Department of State, after a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU is ready to support our Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon.