374th Medical Logistics Flight tackles USFJ medical supply mission

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Raymond Geoffroy
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Medicine / Bandages / Disinfectant -- Airmen from the 374th Medical Logistics Flight have ensured all that and more have made it to the people who need them the most as Team Yokota continues to support Operation Tomodachi.

During normal operations, the Airmen are responsible for the supply chain serving the base hospital, ensuring medicine and medical supplies are available for more than 6,000 base residents.

In the wake of Japan's recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami, however, the flight's efforts and responsibilities swelled to meet the large demands of the relief effort.

"On that Friday, we were immediately identified by our leadership as the Theatre Lead Agent for Medical Materiel in support of Operation Tomodachi," said Maj. Michael Brown, Medical Logistics Flight commander. "Typically, we only carry the medical supplies to support Airmen at Yokota, but on that day, we had to think bigger."

Along with the rest of Team Yokota, members of the medical logistics flight had already completed five straight 24-hour days of an operation readiness exercise, when the earthquake struck on the afternoon of the fifth day. Despite such hours, Major Brown's Airmen responded in stride.

"Since the relief effort started we have worked nonstop to get in much needed medical supplies for immediate relief to the north to treat symptoms associated with dehydration and inadequate nutrition," said Staff Sgt. Murray, NCO in charge of acquisitions and medical logistics.

Their tasks involved finding, acquiring, shipping, staging, pre-positioning and delivering these supplies to those units entering or transiting through Yokota, Major Brown said.

The supplies included 1,000 Bottles of Pepto-Bismol, 300 bottles of Pedialyte and 4,000 doses of Loperamide, all received at Yokota and shipped to relief workers serving at temporary shelters throughout northern Japan.

The team acquired $50,000 in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies. These supplies continue to help displaced Japanese citizens living in temporary shelters.

Even as Yokota's efforts shift away from humanitarian support, the 374th medical logistics flight continues to play role in the current contingency, this time by ensuring regional safety during the on-going radiological situation stemming from the quake-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The team manages acquisition, storage and distribution of all Potassium Iodide tablets given to USFJ Servicemembers and dependants as a precautionary measure against potential radiation exposure.

They are also currently gathering and dispensing supplies used by U.S. military personnel working in Japan to help provide assistance to the Japanese Self Defense Forces with issues related to the Fukushima nuclear plant.

"We are the direct support element for the Air Force Radiological Assessment Team here from Wright Patterson Air Force Base," Sergeant Murray said. "We are supporting all of their daily supply needs, as they are responsible for the radiation testing here in Japan."

While their mission has grown and evolved continually over the past month, the Airmen of the 374th Medical Logistics Flight know that their contributions facilitate the USFJ's mission to support Government of Japan as the nation recovers from a momentous natural disaster.

Sergeant Murray said. "The long hours we put in have been worthwhile to help the people of Japan."

Having worked hard to prepare for crises situations during the ORE in the week leading  up to the disaster, the team's recent success has produced a sense of accomplishment.

"It feel good to actually do something real world" said Master Sgt. Eduardo Vera, NCOIC of medical logistics. "I can tell my folks that because you've ordered and shipped these supplies, you've actually helped somebody."