Yokota evac plan promotes bilateral ops

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen hosted a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation demonstration for Lt. Gen. Masayuki Hironaka, Air Support Command commander, and other Japan Air Self-Defense Force service members at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 28, 2013.

The demonstration was conducted to promote bilateral training between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF in future exercises and to allow learning and engagement opportunities between the allies.

A NEO is a Department of State ordered evacuation of U.S. government civilian employees and dependents, U.S. Armed Forces family members and designated U.S. Armed Forces military personnel. As the sole airlift hub in the Western Pacific, Yokota would need to provide a temporary in-transit staging area for evacuees until flights are made available to safely deliver them from the Pacific theater to the U.S. or a safe haven. NEO staff receive evacuees, provide security and comfort while the evacuees transition through the base.

During the demonstration, Col. Mark August, 374th Airlift Wing commander, stressed the importance of having a NEO plan, but more importantly, the effectiveness of its implementation.

"It's not only about having a great plan and facility, but it's also about exercising that ability to ensure it is ready to be stood up in a moment's notice," August said. "We exercise this ability any chance we get to ensure it is just that."

August added that there will be opportunities in the future for Hironaka and JASDF service members to observe and participate in exercise operations.

Hironaka said the JASDF has similar responsibilities in the case of an emergency, and that seeing how Yokota operates was a great learning opportunity for him and his staff. He also thanked the Yokota service members for their demonstration and said it had been a beneficial experience for all those involved.